İSTANBUL - Lawyers of Garibe Gezer who lost her life as a result of systematic torture and rape she was subjected to in Kandıra Prison, filed a criminal complaint against the prison administration and the officers responsible for her death demanding a public lawsuit.

 

The lawyers of Garibe Gezer, who lost her life in Kocaeli Kandıra No. 1 Type F High Security Prison, filed a criminal complaint against the prison administration and officers to the Kandıra Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Reminding that Gezer was kept in a cell for 22 days after she was forcibly transferred from Kayseri Bünyan Prison to Kandıra, it was pointed out that she was later dragged back to the solitary confinement by the guards and kept in an inhumane environment for two days.

   

TORTURE AND STRIP SEARCH

 

Sharing the information that Gezer objected to the cell confinement and that she was beaten a second time by the guards, the lawyers said, “Eight female and male guards attacked her. Then the male guards pressed on his throat with their boots. She was then taken to a room filled with swabs of human excrement, known as the padded cell. The female guards performed a strip search on Gezer.

 

SUBJECTED TO SEXUAL ASSAULT

 

Later, in the criminal complaint, which states that the female guards abused and raped Gezer, it was stated, "Gezer tried to tear the sponges in the cell with the feeling of objection caused by both ill-treatment and torture and the emotional state she was in. The guards, who saw this on the camera, came to the room and beat Gezer again. Gezer fainted after the beating and was kept in the padded cell for hours hadncuffed from the back. Gezer, who was then taken to the cell, could not bear the ill-treatment and torture she suffered and attempted suicide. She fell and cracked open her head. However, although there was bleeding, no intervention was made for about two hours.

 

A criminal complaint was filed in the context of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as well as Articles 86, 94, 102 and 257 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) due to the harassment, rape and torture that Gezer was subjected to. The lawyers underlined, "After all these violations and illegality, Gezer lost her life in a cell alone. Following her death, the prosecutor running the investigation brought a confidentiality order to the file."

 

HER NOTES WERE CONFISCATED

 

Stating that they were prevented from following the investigation due to the confidentiality order, the lawyers said: "The journals, notes and letters of Gezer were confiscated after her death, which could be essential evidences that would shed a light into how she died.  The decision to restrict the file after her death increases the suspicions of a cover up. Since Gezer was imprisoned, her right to life was under public protection. However, the prison administration violated this duty of protection and is primarily responsible for the death of Garibe Gezer. It is a clear violation of Article 3 of the ECtHR to keep a person in solitary confinement, who, in the face of the pressures had previously attempted suicide."

 

'THERE ARE WITNESSES WHO SAYS SHE WAS MURDERED'

 

Stating that she was not treated after the ordeal she has been through which violates the Article 84 of the Turkish Penal Code, the lawyers underlined that Deniz Tepeli and Resmiye Vatansever are witnesses to her murder and said: "We demand that a criminal case must be initiated in accordance with the domestic law, Articles 2 and 3 of the ECtHR and the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.”