Human Rights in Turkey
Rights Violations in Conditional Release and Probation Practices – Yılmaz Ak

Profile

VICTIM : Yılmaz Ak
INCIDENT : The conditional release of a prisoner who has been in prison for 31 years was postponed on the grounds that he was “not of good conduct.”
LOCATION : Erzincan, Turkey
SITUATION : Details of the crime are unknown; sentenced to life imprisonment on March 25, 1996.

Case Summary

Yılmaz Ak, who has been imprisoned in Erzincan Prison for 31 years, is not being released despite having served the required time for his life sentence. His release, which was due on July 31, 2025, was blocked by the Administration and Observation Board on the grounds that he was “not of good conduct.” On January 28, when Ak appeared before the board again, he was denied release once more, as he claimed he was innocent, with the reasoning that he was “not remorseful and not of good conduct.” It was stated regarding the prisoner that “He has received numerous disciplinary penalties, many of which were for organizational purposes, with these disciplinary acts occurring in a chain until 2017. After that, as the conditional release date approached, it is known that prisoners convicted of organizational crimes generally refrain from disciplinary acts to obtain a good conduct decision. It was observed that the acts committed by the convict violated the rules set by the penal institution for the purpose of maintaining order and security, which are used as criteria for good conduct.” The prisoner’s release was postponed for six months, and a new review is scheduled for July 29.

Source

Contact

Erzincan High Security Closed Penal Institution

Phone: 0446 251 11 45-57

Mail: erzincan.ygkcik@adalet.gov.tr 

General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses

Phone: (0312) 507 04 00 – (0312) 507 04 01

Mail: cte@adalet.gov.tr 

Ministry of Justice – Republic of Türkiye

Phone: +90 (0312) 417 77 70

Mail: info@adalet.gov.tr

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