Outrage call on Turkey to cease abuse
Imprisoned Turkish gay activist and conscientious objector Mehmet Tarhan is being violently abused in the military jail at Sivas in eastern Turkey according to reports from Outrage!
David Allison, a spokesperson for Outrage! said: "There is a serious danger that he will be murdered – either by fellow prisoners or by the Turkish military authorities. The prison guards are encouraging other prisoners to attack Mehmet, by spreading the lie that he is a terrorist.
In protest at his detention and alleged maltreatment, Tarhan is now on hunger strike.
He is charged with 'insubordination in front of the unit' as he has refused to cooperate with military authorities - an offence which carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment under Article 88 of TACK (Turkish Military Penal Code).
"Mehmet’s trial is scheduled for 9 June. The Turkish legal and military systems are notoriously unfair and harsh. There is no way he will get a fair trial," added Mr Allison.
OutRage is backing an 'urgent action' campaign by War Resisters International (WRI) to press the Turkish government to halt the alleged violent abuse of Mehmet and to release him from prison.
Original Link: Gay.com UK
David Allison, a spokesperson for Outrage! said: "There is a serious danger that he will be murdered – either by fellow prisoners or by the Turkish military authorities. The prison guards are encouraging other prisoners to attack Mehmet, by spreading the lie that he is a terrorist.
In protest at his detention and alleged maltreatment, Tarhan is now on hunger strike.
He is charged with 'insubordination in front of the unit' as he has refused to cooperate with military authorities - an offence which carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment under Article 88 of TACK (Turkish Military Penal Code).
"Mehmet’s trial is scheduled for 9 June. The Turkish legal and military systems are notoriously unfair and harsh. There is no way he will get a fair trial," added Mr Allison.
OutRage is backing an 'urgent action' campaign by War Resisters International (WRI) to press the Turkish government to halt the alleged violent abuse of Mehmet and to release him from prison.
Original Link: Gay.com UK
