So who is coming to İmralı dinner?

While dismissing claims of mistreatment of Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, at the İmralı high-security prison, the government has taken seriously warnings from an influential European human rights organization that Öcalan’s mental health is deteriorating.

The government is against the idea of transferring Öcalan from İmralı Island in the Marmara Sea, where he is the sole inmate, but instead is planning to bring a small number of prisoners to the island, the Hürriyet Daily News has learned.

Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Şahin neither denied nor confirmed these reports, saying, "The relevant authorities will make a statement. I cannot say anything at this stage." Meanwhile construction has already started on the island.

From the day he was captured, Turkish security authorities decided to keep Öcalan in a secluded place with limited access. A special prison was built on İmralı. The purpose was to keep supporters away from him. Since his early days of incarceration, Öcalan’s detention conditions have been under close international scrutiny. The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, or CTP, which operates under the Council of Europe of which Turkey is a founding member, has visited İmralı four times.

The last visit took place in May 2007, just after PKK supporters claimed Öcalan had been poisoned. According to the CTP report, made public by the consent of Turkey, the clinical examination did not reveal any sign of intoxication. However, the CTP has warned the government that Öcalan’s isolation is seriously harming his mental health.

The CTP has been recommending since 1999, the year Öcalan was arrested, that Turkey take measures to allow Öcalan the possibility of maintaining basic social and emotional ties. Öcalan is allowed to have a few books, newspapers and a radio.

He is not allowed to move freely between his cell and the adjoining room during the day, he has no access to a larger exercise area with basic facilities. He has no television set and furthermore, the interaction between him and custodial staff is very limited. His contact with the outside world is also very limited. He occasionally meets with his lawyers and family members. The CTP has observed a distinct deterioration in Öcalan’s mental state since earlier visits in 2001 and 2003. "This deterioration is connected with a situation of chronic stress and prolonged social and emotional isolation, coupled with a feeling of abandonment and disappointment," according to the report.

CTP had previously recommended to Turkish authorities that Öcalan "at the earliest opportunity be integrated into a setting where contact with other inmates is possible."

The CTP’s request has, so far, been turned down by Turkish authorities. Security officials are especially against the transfer of Öcalan to a prison where his supporters could have easy access to the building. Not only would a place such as this turn into a virtual "shrine," but it would pose a threat to public security, as there would be the possibility of clashes between his supporters and members of families that have lost relatives in the fight against the PKK, an expert told the Daily News. The CTP seems to understand the concerns of Turkish authorities. Thus it has suggested they take the necessary steps to create the required setting for his confinement at İmralı.

Under international pressure, the government began mulling over the idea of transferring a small number of inmates to İmralı, the Daily News has learned. Doğan News agency reported Wednesday that construction work on İmralı had sped up. "Twenty trucks, many construction vehicles and materials have been sent to İmralı from the port in Mudanya," said the report. Officials said equipment would be used for the renovation of old buildings and new construction.

When asked by the Daily News about construction work on the island and plans for the transfer of new inmates, Justice Minister Şahin neither denied nor confirmed the reports. The government is highly sensitive about the subject, as there have been skirmishes recently in the Southeast due to rumors about mistreatment of Öcalan.

PKK leader needs company, report says

’The results of the psychiatric examination of Öcalan showed a distinct deterioration in his mental state between 2001 and 2003. This deterioration is connected with a situation of chronic stress and prolonged social and emotional isolation, coupled with a feeling of abandonment and disappointment.

Öcalan should at the earliest opportunity be integrated into a setting where contact with other inmates and a wider range of activities are possible. If the Turkish authorities reached the conclusion that his transfer to another prison is not possible, then they should take the necessary steps to create the above-mentioned setting at Imralı Closed Prison.’

Göksel Bozkurt from the Hürriyet Daily News Parliament Bureau contributed to this report.