RIHA - Erzincan Type T Closed Prison administration found it "objectionable" to give the book "Simple Example of Democracy" written by prisoner Semih Altun in prison. 

 

Erzincan Type T Closed Prison administration confiscated the book "Simple Example of Democracy" written by political prisoner Semih Altun in solitary  confinement. Altun sent the draft of the book to his family by courier 3 years ago in Urfa Type T Prsion. Shortly after draft was sent, Altun was transferred to Erzincan Type T Closed Prison and was sentenced to 11 days in solitary confinement on the grounds of some writings read by the Urfa Prison Reading Commission. Altun's family sent the book, which was published during this period, by courier to Erzincan Type T Closed Prison, where Altun is held. However, the prison administration confiscated the book on the grounds that it contained "objectionable words". Altun was subjected to disciplinary proceedings. In addition, Altun's ward was raided because of the book and his letters and writings, whic previosly "read" by the prisone administration, were confiscated for re-examination. 

 

SEMIH ALTUN

 

Semih Altun was born in 1996 in Şiftelî rural neighbourhood of Curnê Reş (Hilvan) district of Riha (Urfa). His family moved to the centre of Riha in 1997. He attended primary and secondary school in the centre of Riha. He was detained and arrested on 28 August 2015 in Eyyübiye district of central Riha, on the allegation of breaking the windows of the AKP district office building. Altun was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment on the charges of "disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state, changing the constitutional order by force of arms, membership of an illegal organisation, making propaganda for an illegal organisation and possession of explosive materials" at Urfa 2nd High Criminal Court. Antep Court of Appeal upheld the verdict and the Court of Cassation rejected the appeal. Altun's lawyers' individual application to the Constitutional Court against the Court of Cassation's decision is still under review.

 

Altun's lawyer filed an individual application to the Constitutional Court (AYM) upon the approval of the file by the Court of Cassation.

 

MA / Emrullah Acar