62-year-old Mehmet Elçe is not being released despite reports stating that he “cannot remain in prison” and “cannot maintain his life independently.” Elçe was detained in 2016 and, following his aggravated life imprisonment sentence, was held in prisons in Şırnak, Antep and İzmir. As of 2026, Elçe is being held at Elazığ R-Type Closed Prison. After falling ill in 2022, medical examinations revealed that he had stomach cancer, and his stomach was completely removed. Elçe was issued a report by Antep Dr. Ersin Aslan Training and Research Hospital stating that he “cannot remain in prison.” He later suffered a cerebral haemorrhage and became dependent on a wheelchair. The Health Board of Elazığ City Hospital issued a report stating that Elçe has a 93% disability rate, while the Forensic Medicine Institute also issued a report stating that he “cannot maintain his life independently.” Despite these reports, Elçe has not been released. On 7 September 2026, he was taken to Elazığ City Hospital due to vomiting and pain, where he received treatment for six days before being returned to prison. His wife, Emine Elçe, stated that he had no health problems when he was detained and that his illnesses developed during his time in prison. Elçe was tried in connection with the attack on the Cizre District Police Department building in 2016 and was sentenced to 12 terms of aggravated life imprisonment and 2,500 years in prison.