Since then, coup attempt in 2016 were taken in Turkey, more than 30 German fixed or condemned. One of them is the Kurdish singer Hozan Cane. About the conditions of detention she has spoken with the DW.
Hozan Cane
Since June 2018 in Istanbul detained a German singer with Kurdish roots, Hozan Cane is one of five German nationals detained for political reasons. Turkish security officials arrested the Cologne-based singer, whose real name is Saide Inac, in June 2018 at a campaign event of the Kurdish HDP in Turkey. After only three days of negotiations, they have been convicted of terrorist allegations to six years and three months in prison. The court in the Western Turkish Edirne spoke Hozan Cane because of membership in the outlawed Kurdish workers ‘ party PKK guilty. Of the charges of sedition and insulting the state’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the court acquitted the singer. For more than six months imprisoned singer has answered the questions of the DW about the everyday life in prison, and your process in writing through their lawyers.
DW: you’re about six months in prison. How’s you health?
Hozan Cane:The conditions in prison are very hard. In spite of all the difficulties, I’m trying to survive. But with my health problems unfortunately, it is not so easy. A treatment in the hospital is associated with many hurdles. A request must be made, then a long wait begins. There are many inmates who want to go to the hospital. The demand is high. That’s why it takes a very long time.
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How do you spend your time in prison?
In total, we are 30 to 35 prisoners in this building. However, three to four prisoners occupy one cell each. This has a huge advantage. You will feel not alone. But the cells are very small, and I find that problematic. It has no free space for yourself. You can’t decide for themselves, and you have to follow certain rules. I get up very early and do sports. The Sport is good for me. Every day at 07:30 PM, the guards come and count us. After that, the Breakfast will be distributed. As we get to the prison, brought you some food, shall we prepare us for the Breakfast. Lunch and dinner run as well. Before we go to bed, be counted, all of the prisoners from the guards once again. Also, I read very much. I started to write stories. I also write screenplays. If it works, then I would like to write a screenplay about the life in prison. If you are here in prison, in their four Wänd create nothing and get on with other things distract you, then can a great deal of damage in your Psyche cause.
Would you describe your cell?
The cells are mostly two by three meters in size. In each cell three to four prisoners. In my cell we are third. Especially now in the Winter it is especially cold, which leads to health problems. In cells in which there is a moisture problem, it is even worse. For example, I was in the first two months in a bad cell, what bothered me a lot. But in my current cell, it is comparatively better.
What do you miss most in prison?
I miss it, to look into the sky, to walk with my friends on the streets free, and of course I miss my projects, I could not bring unfortunately. I miss my daughter, I miss to hug you.
For your method, only three negotiation were recognized in the days. The court has rejected almost all requests and demands of its lawyers. They believe that they had had a fair trial?
My process was very quickly ended. This is in Turkey in this kind of processes is not common. The court has issued its judgment over me even before the negotiations. I would like to give you an example: I posted a long time ago on my Facebook page a ZDF documentary about Turkey and the Kurds. The state’s attorney has claimed that I insulted the Turkish state and the country’s founder, Ataturk. Then my lawyers have asked whether the state was assisted attorney or the investigation team of English speaking staff, or how the idea could come up that I have committed a crime. These questions have not been answered. In addition, the state attorney has claimed that I made a year and a half in Iraq with the YPG (Syrian branch of the outlawed PKK, editors ‘ note) a military training. This allegation, address, requested my lawyers to demand that the German customs information about my travels. This was also rejected by the Turkish court. Thus, my attorneys were prevented from laying these charges and prove my innocence. However, I’m been sentenced.
You received during the process from Germany and of the German authorities support? And that was enough for you?
I would like to thank especially the German Consulate General in Istanbul, particularly in the legal Department for assistance. The actual Problem is the current mild Turkey-diplomacy of the Federal government. I hope that Berlin is watching my case closely. Because for some time, are set back increasingly German in Turkey or condemned. In my case, the next step is the appeal. I hope that the German government is accompanying the appeal process. Otherwise there is the risk that my conviction by the highest court will be confirmed.
The Interview was conducted by Hülya Topcu.