Güler Zere Finally Released

Political prisoner Güler Zere was removed from the hospital ward of Balcalı Hospital in Adana on Friday (6 November) after she was granted pardon by president Abdullah Gül and the prosecutor's administrative procedures had been completed. Lawyer Taylan Tanay told bianet that Zere would spend the night at a private hospital and that she would be brought to Istanbul the following day (7 November), if her health condition allowed.

President Gül lifted the sentences of 4 convicts because of "chronic illness"; besides Güler Zere aslo Nurettin Ateş, Şirin Aydın and Fehmi Akar were released. The decision was announced in the evening hours on Friday.

Tanay explained that the president's pardon decision was sent to the Ministry of Justice and from there forwarded by fax to the Elbistan Public Attorney General's office. When the decision reached the Adana Attorney General, Zere could be released. The procedure took its time since it reached both Attorney Generals only after their official office hours.

Zere: If they had released my daughter earlier she might have been saved

According to a life interview with Zeres father Haydar Zere on the Turkish news channel NTV, Zere's family got the news from television. They are thinking of taking her to Istanbul. Haydar Zere said, "I am sorry because of my daughter's illness. I am excited about the news. But they made her wait for a long time. If they had released her early, my daughter might have been saved. There are many convicts being sick, if only they had released those too at least until they recover. This is what I want", Zere was quoted.

4 convicts released

According to the announcement of the Presidency, 4 files were sent from to the Ministry of Justice. All 4 convicts were released for reasons of chronic illness: Nurettin Ateş is paralyzed, Şirin Aydın cannot move the left side of her body and depends on permanent assistance, and Fehmi Aktar is unable to control his movements and cannot stand unsupported. (TK/VK)