Wan (Van)- 76-year-old  Hanife Arslan, who was sentenced to six years and three months in prison on charges of “Being a member of a terrorist organization”, has been serving her prison sentence since 2022. Being held at Van T-type Closed Prison, Hanife Arslan suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and hypertension. Her lawyers requested her temporary release; however, the request was rejected after a medical report saying, “She could stay in prison” was prepared.

Her daughter visited her at the prison on Monday. “I do not think I will get out of here alive,” she told her daughter.

She puts her head under cold water to reduce blood pressure

According to her daughter, Hanife Arslan outs her head under cold water to reduce blood pressure and her headache symptoms. Hanife Arslan has suffered from diabetes for 40 years and she barely walks due to her diseases and knee pain.

Her daughter, Reyhan Ören, visited her at the prison yesterday, April 22. “My mother’s health is deteriorating. “Her situation is very bad and she has lost her hope,” Reyhan Ören said. “My mother told me ‘I do not think I will get out of here alive’. We demand the immediate release of our mother because she cannot stay in prison anymore. She cannot meet even her basic needs in prison. Sick people should not be held in prison.”

On January 26, 2024, Hanife Arslan was transferred to Van Training and Research Hospital after her lawyers requested her temporary release. Although Hanife Arslan suffers from many diseases, the hospital prepared a report saying, “She could stay in prison”.