ISTANBUL – Mehmet Edip Taşar (68), a seriously ill prisoner who has undergone 18 angiographies and had 8 stents implanted, collapsed in prison after being declared “recovered” and sent back from the hospital to Marmara (Silivri) No. 5 L-Type Closed Prison. He was taken to the prison infirmary after his condition worsened.

 

Taşar, who suffers from heart failure and is listed by the Human Rights Association (İHD) as a seriously ill inmate, had been transferred from prison to Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital in Küçükçekmece on October 20. Following a brief treatment, he was discharged and sent back to prison without his family or lawyer being notified. His lawyer later learned of the situation during a routine visit.

 

The family, who had visited Taşar in the hospital a day earlier, were informed the next day that he had been discharged. However, around the same time, Taşar reportedly fell ill again in prison and was taken to the infirmary.

 

‘RETURNED TO PRISON, THEN TAKEN TO THE INFIRMARY AGAIN’

 

Taşar’s family said he had called them from prison, saying, “My condition is still very bad; I am sick.” Upon hearing this, his lawyer went to the prison around 2 p.m. and was informed that Taşar had again been transferred to the infirmary and could not attend the scheduled meeting. His treatment there is reportedly continuing.

 

Both the family and his lawyer emphasized that Taşar’s condition is critical, urging authorities to grant his release for proper medical treatment.

 

WHO IS MEHMET EDIP TAŞAR?

 

Mehmet Edip Taşar, 68, has been in prison for years and suffers from multiple chronic and life-threatening illnesses. In addition to severe heart failure, he has irregular heart rhythm, diabetes with blood sugar levels reaching as high as 600, and is largely dependent on fellow prisoners for his daily needs.

 

He has been referred to the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) three times for evaluation, but all requests for sentence postponement due to his health condition have been rejected.

 

Human rights advocates have repeatedly called for his immediate release, citing his deteriorating health and the inhumane prison conditions that prevent adequate medical care.

 

MA / Omer Ibrahimoglu