CHP MP slams justice ministry for not revealing number of coronavirus cases in prisons for nearly 50 days

Duvar English

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Gamze Akkuş İlgezdi has slammed Turkey's Justice Ministry for not revealing the number of coronavirus cases in prisons for nearly 50 days.

İlgezdi said that no information can be obtained regarding the situation in prisons despite the virus being able to spread quickly in them.

"We can't get proper information. We've been calling on the Justice Minister to reveal the number of cases in a transparent way, but they're still being hidden," İlgezdi said, adding that no answers are given to parliamentary questions they submitted.

According to the deputy, the ministry said that the numbers were revealed on June 17 when asked about the current situation.

"Data on COVID-19 has not been revealed for 48 days," she said.

"According to the information shared on June 17, six inmates or convicts died and 374 prisoners were diagnosed and healed. The active cases was said to be 72. No one knows what happened in the following 48 days," İlgezdi added.

"A heightening risk is in question at prisons, but the ministry is more concerned about hiding the number of cases than struggling against the virus."

The lawmaker once again called on Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül to reveal the numbers.

"There are reports that inmates diagnosed with coronavirus are not treated. These allegations should be looked into immediately and all sick convicts and inmates must be provided with access to health services," İlgezdi said.