Cancer Fighter Inmate Dies in Prison Clinic

Human Rights Association of Turkey claimed that the officials ignored longtime the release request of Hacı Nasır, an inmate who lost his cancer fight in prison clinic on March 21.

Hacı Nasır (47), battling with throat cancer, was hospitalized in Istanbul's Haseki hospital due to his severe life condition on February 9.

"For long time, we have tried to convince the officials for his release. But they didn't want to hear us, see us. We are so sorry," Human Right Association of Turkey said in a statement.  

On 12 February 2012, Nasır has been arrested for a criminal charge and sent to a prison in Van province.

Diagnosed with a throat cancer, Nasır was transferred to Metris Prison in Istanbul. He has been hospitalized at a prison clinic in Istanbul's Haseki Hospital since February 9.

While the request of Nasır for acquittal due to medical condition has been ignored by the President's Office, Istanbul 12th High Criminal Court sentenced Nasır to a 26 years of prison term.  

The court demanded an through medical investigation on Nasır's condition from Turkey's Forensics Institute, an appointment has been made for July 2013.  

Nasır, who has been in coma for 41, died on March 21.

500 sick inmates

There are approximately 500 sick inmates in Turkey, Justice Ministry statistics say.

According to Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, roughly 100 of these are in terminal medical condition.

According to Justice Ministry, between 2000 and 2011, 2,024 inmates lost their lives in prisons.

A report released by Republican People's Party (CHP) cited that at least  1,000 of these dead inmates lost their lives due to inadequate medical care.(AS/BM)