Civan Boltan, an ill prisoner without a right arm, said in a phone call with his family that he was sentenced to 11 days of solitary confinement by Bolu F-Type Prison administration. Boltan stated that their wards were raided 2 weeks ago under the name of search and their books and writings were confiscated and added "Our books and writings were confiscated during the search. A disciplinary investigation was initiated. Afterwards, they were sentenced to 11 days of solitary confinement. There are arbitrary practices. We are accused of 'making propaganda for an illegal organisation', who can make propaganda in prison? The writings I have with me do not constitute a criminal offence."

 

Mother Nazime Boltan reacted against the solitary confinement of her son because of the confiscated books and said, "My son is an ill prisoner. My son is missing a hand, his body is full of shrapnel fragments. There is an ECHR judgement. Leaving this person in solitary confinement is torture and he is not in a condition to sustain himself alone. I am his mother and I do not accept this solitary confinement sentence. Can a solitary confinement sentence be given because of a book? We send the book to them. You both give them their books and insult them and give them solitary confinement."

 

Nazime Boltan reminded the process carried out for the solution of the Kurdish issue and said, "This persecution and insult cannot be done."

 

Boltan's lawyer Mehdi Özdemir appealed against the solitary confinement sentence.  In the appeal application, it was reminded that as a result of the search, a disciplinary investigation was initiated on the grounds that the handwritten notes and books carried propaganda purposes. "This decision is unjust and unlawful and violates the prohibition of ill-treatment since the client cannot maintain his life in a single room due to his health condition."

 

'VIOLATION OF ILL-TREATMENT'

 

In the application, it was reminded that Boltan's right hand was severed due to the explosion of an explosive material in his hand, that he lost sight in his eyes, and that he suffered injuries with metal particles on his forehead and feet. The application emphasised that Boltan also suffered from multiple diseases and said: "The treatment process continues. However, the client's right arm was amputated and his right eye lost its sight due to the explosion of the explosive material. Due to his current health condition, the applicant can meet his needs with the help of the people he stays with during his stay in prison. In this context, the execution of solitary confinement for 11 days is a violation of the prohibition of ill-treatment for the client and we request that the objection be accepted."

 

The application also stated that Boltan's 11-day solitary confinement constitutes a violation of freedom of thought and expression: "As a result, we demand that the complaint application regarding the 11-day solitary confinement decision, which was taken by ignoring both the health status of the client and the issues that should be included within the scope of freedom of thought and expression, be accepted."

 

MA / Müjdat Can