Human Rights
in Turkey
Pregnant Women in Prison:Leyla Arslan

Profile

VICTIM : Leyla Arslan
INCIDENT : The five-months-pregnant inmate with a high-risk pregnancy was arrested two months ago.
LOCATION : Edirne, Turkey
SITUATION : Sentenced to 8 years and 9 months in prison on alleged affiliation with the Gülen movement.

Case Summary

Leyla Arslan, currently held in Edirne Prison, is five months pregnant and was arrested two months ago. She was sentenced to 8 years and 9 months in prison for having worked at an institution in Diyarbakır that was shut down by a decree law (KHK). Her imprisonment poses serious risks to her health. Arslan is also the mother of a 3-year-old child and had previously suffered from severe preeclampsia (pregnancy poisoning) during her first pregnancy, which put both her and her baby’s lives in danger at that time. Due to her medical history, her current pregnancy has been classified as “high-risk.” Her husband submitted medical reports to illustrate the severity of her condition. The report states that Arslan experienced severe preeclampsia during her first pregnancy, that her current pregnancy requires close medical monitoring, and that both the mother and the baby are at serious risk. It also recommends that her medical follow-up and treatment should take place outside the prison environment. However, her medications are not being provided regularly, and her medical check-ups are being neglected. Additionally, her family lives in Diyarbakır and must travel 26–27 hours to visit her in prison. Although Arslan submitted a transfer request to be moved to a prison in Diyarbakır, and it was initially approved, the decision was later canceled without explanation. Her relatives express deep concern for both her and her unborn baby’s safety and well-being.

Souce

Contact

Edirne Type L Closed Penal Institution

Phone: 0 284 224 06 75 – 0 284 224 06 74

Mail: edirne.ltkcik@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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