The Diyarbakır Bar Association has announced that scores of inmates in a high security prison in eastern Elazığ province were physically battered by guards, the Artı Gerçek news website reported on Friday.
After a visit to the prison during which he and his colleagues met with inmates, bar chairman Cihat Aydın shared his observations at a press briefing.
Aydın said some inmates showed traces of physical violence and swelling on their bodies.
He estimated that some 50 inmates were subjected to mistreatment based on the reported number of cells where prison guards entered to beat them.
Aydın added that the prison administration refused to meet with them and that the bar has filed criminal charges with the Elazığ Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
He also said the inmates were unable to have their voices heard since their petitions to authorities were delivered too late, if ever.
“This indifference by the relevant authorities has led to an increase in rights violations in the prison,” he said.