'Seeking justice, not begging': Kurdish politician Aysel Tuğluk in prison despite severe illness

Photo: MA

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Diagnosed with dementia, former Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Aysel Tuğluk was referred to the hospital on December 21 for a third medical report.

Kept in the Kandıra Type-F High Security Prison for more than five years, Tuğluk lost her mother Hatun Tuğluk on September 13, 2017.

A racist mob attacked her funeral in Ankara, saying, "We won't let an Armenian to be buried here." After the attack and threats, Hatun Tuğluk's body was taken from the cemetery and was buried in their hometown Dersim.

A short time after losing her mother, Tuğluk began having health issues. She frequently told her family members and attorneys that she didn't want to be talked about with her health problems. Her condition continued to deteriorate.

"She can't stay in prison"

Suffering from memory loss, Tuğluk became unable to take care of herself. On March 15, Kocaeli University Hospital diagnosed her with dementia.

In the final report it issued on July 12, the university's Department of Forensic Science stated that the dementia might progress, problems abuot medical support and care might occur and it was not possible for Tuğluk to continue her life without help.

The enforcement of her sentence should be deferred as she couldn't take care of herself alone in prison, the report said.

ATK: She can stay in prison

Tuğluk was then referred to the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK), a Ministry of Justice Agency. After a two-hour examination, the institute concluded that Tuğluk "can lead her life and the enforcement of her sentence can continue in the prison with her treatment and regular check-ups carried out."

Because of the ATK report, the prosecutor's office rejected a request for the deferral of the enforcement of Tuğluk's sentence.

Tuğluk's attorney, Reyhan Yalçındağ-Baydemir, applied for a third medical report. She was referred to the hospital on December 21.

"Aysel was everything to our mother"

Speaking to bianet, Aysel Tuğluk's brother Alaattin Tuğluk said, "I'm not making an effort for the release of my sister. My only priority is my sister's health. Correct diagnosis and correct treatment are my only concerns."

About how the disease began, he said, "My sister was everything to my mother. My sister's imprisonment destroyed her. And my sister felt guilty because of my mother's loss. She would say, 'It happened because of me.'

"At first, I thought her forgetfulness and asking the same things over and over were because of depression. However, it progressed day by day. Aysel is never the same after my mother. She pauses when talking, gazes into space, forgets...

"As her family, we want to know the results of all of these. Maybe it was a temporary thing, but now it has become permanent.

"My sister always stopped us. She didn't want to be talked about like this. She said, 'I don't want to be in a situation where I seem to be trying to benefit from my illness. Don't talk about me.'

"However, as time passed, she came to the point of not recognizing us. My concern is the progress of the disease to an irreversible point. We want it to become clear whether it is a temporary or a permanent problem and we want her treatment."

"The report was rejected in two hours"

About the ATK report that Tuğluk can stay in prison, Alaattin Tuğluk said, "A report that was prepared in six months was rejected after a two-hour meeting. I'm objecting to this. Whether there is damage in her brain and how her physical condition should be looked at seriously, but this wasn't done.

"My sister is unlawfully in prison, anyway. The indictment is nonsense, the allegations are nonsense, too. She is not guilty. If they prove my sister doesn't have any problem, then let her stay in prison.

"We are trying to find justice, if there is any. We are not begging anyone. However, they can't prevent my sister's right to treatment while she has a health problem. They shouldn't expect us to accept that.

The report given by Kocaeli University says 'she can't stay in prison,' the ATK says 'she can.' The attorneys applied for a third report and it was accepted. A committee was set up at the Kocaeli İzmit Seka State Hospital. Her situation will be followed and a new report will be prepared." (RT/VK)