Campaign in support of arrested author Aslı Erdoğan

Karakaraga magazine has launched a campaign in support of author and member of Özgür Gündem newspaper’s editorial board Aslı Erdoğan, who has been arrested as a result of operations on Özgür Gündem newspaper, which remains temporarily shut-down with the reasoning of ‘acting like the news-source of terrorist organization PKK.’

Also charged with ‘being a member of terrorist organization‘, ‘provoking the public’, and making propaganda for terrorist organization PKK’, Aslı Erdoğan is still held imprisoned.

Having shared information about her condition and experiences in jail, through the reports of Seyhan Avşar from Cumhuriyet Newspaper who had communicated with Erdoğan through lawyer Nesrullah Oğuz (from Association of Legal Experts for Freedom), Erdoğan has recently stated that she was being faced with ‘maltreatment that could cause permanent damage on her body.’

Aslı Erdoğan’s remarks from jail

According to the reports of Cumhuriyet newspaper and İMC TV, some of Erdoğan’s remarks included the following:

“Tolstoy said ‘Just as there is no absolute freedom, there is also no absolute enslavery’…One understands better when put in prison that freedom is a matter of ‘internal’ state and approaches even the worst conditions as an experience of liberation.”

“…I was sure that I were to be released…But when the prosecutor issued a warrant of arrest, we all got so shocked – including the lawyers. My insulin level dropped and I fainted…The first 15-20 minutes at the court, I defended myself before the law. I was nervous. Then, I suddenly realized that I was part of a case that had nothing to do with law and that I was going to be arrested with a decision ordered from top down. At that moment, all my fear faded because I understood very clearly that I indeed was not guilty of anything.”

“Greetings, love, and thanks to all friends who are advocates of freedom… I have not been subjected to physical violence but my very basic need – water – is not provided. And, I am going through health problems. I have had intestinal problems for the past 10 years. My pancreas and digestive system do not work properly, and, despite this, my medicine is not given to me for the past 5 days. I am a diabetic patient and I have to have a special diet; however, I can only eat yoghurt… And, my bed had been peed on. I have never been taken outdoors. They are treating me in a way that will cause permanent damages on my body. If I had not resisted strictly, I could not have put up with such conditions…”

Also touching on the recent bomb attack in Antep and the situation in Turkey in general, Erdoğan also expressed her feelings and added: “In 90’s and in 2011-20012, there were hundreds of journalists imprisoned in Turkey. This pressure has increased even more today; the method of pressure has changed...It is an insane courage to be a journalist in Turkey...Kurdish media has always been targeted systematically. This has not changed since the 90’s. It is not even considered as media.”

Statement of Ministry of Justice on the assertion of maltreatment

Claiming that the assertions on the maltreatment of arrested author Aslı Erdoğan do not reflect reality, Ministry of Justice has released the following note: “The arrested individual (Aslı Erdoğan) has been taken outdoors at least for an hour or an hour and a half everyday throughout her stay at the solitary cell. With her request dated as 25.08.206, she has been moved to room B-6 under the decision of Institutional Administration and Monitoring Council. During her health examination by our institution’s doctor on the first day of her arrest, she was diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and asthma; and, the prescribed medicines were handed to her on 23.08.2016. Between the dates of 22.08.20016 and 24.08.20016, a total of 18 litres of water were provided to her through the institution’s canteen. Also, when the inmate came to the institution on 19.08.2016, she was given a bed, a clean blanket, sheets, and a pillow.”

Campaign in support of Aslı Erdoğan

Launched by Karakarga magazine, the campaign has received the support of artists and authors, as well as, other public figures. Names in support are Teoman, Ece Temelkuran, Yıldırım Türker, M.K. Perker, Murat Uyurkulak, Murat Menteş, Sezgin Tanrıkulu, Edip Yüksel, Mehveş Evin, Irmak Zileli, Menderes Samancılar, Nebil Özgentürk, Aslı E. Perker, Nermin Yıldırım, Zülfü Livaneli, Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan ve Doğu Yücel.

Sources: https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/asli-erdogan-vucudumda-kalici-hasar-olusacak-muamele-yapiyorlar-125518.html

https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/adalet-bakanligi-ndan-asli-erdogan-a-darp-aciklamasi-125666.html

https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/asli-erdogan-a-destek-kampanyasi-125685.html