Forensic Medicine requested: Mahir Polat to be transferred to the hospital again! Decision on Mahir Polat is still pending

The release process for IBB Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat, who was detained on March 19 and arrested on March 23 as part of an investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), has returned to the agenda due to health problems he is experiencing in prison. Polat, who is being held at Silivri Prison, will be transferred to the hospital once again due to his health status.

FORENSIC MEDICINE REQUESTED COMPLETION OF MISSING TESTS

Mahir Polat was recently taken to the Council of Forensic Medicine for an examination. However, before making a final decision regarding his current health status, the Forensic Medicine determined that some important examinations and tests were missing. The institution reported that Polat must be transferred to the hospital once again for these deficiencies to be addressed.

In a memorandum sent to the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the Council of Forensic Medicine stated that a final medical report could be issued once these deficiencies are resolved.

HAS A SERIOUS MEDICAL HISTORY

Throughout his detention, Mahir Polat has been taken to the hospital multiple times due to various health problems. It is stated that Polat's health is in serious danger under prison conditions, as he has previously undergone five angiographies, has a history of cancer treatment, and currently suffers from chronic conditions such as hypertension, sleep apnea, and claustrophobia.

Polat's lawyers have also filed multiple applications for his release, stating that their client is in a life-threatening health condition. The lawyers argue that the necessary conditions for release have been met following the Forensic Medicine report.

RELEASE DECISION DEPENDS ON FORENSIC MEDICINE REPORT

The medical report to be prepared following the examinations requested by the Forensic Medicine will be decisive regarding Mahir Polat's release. Once the report is completed, both the prosecutor's office and the criminal judgeship of peace will make the final decision on whether Polat can remain in prison.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In a post on February 21, Mahir Polat announced that he had undergone his third angiography in 4 years. Stating that 6 stents were placed in his heart as a result of 3 angiographies, Polat noted that he had to monitor the blockage in 2 of his vessels. Lawyer Erkam Erdem had stated that Mahir Polat had two conditions that were significant in terms of prison conditions; these were hypertension and blockages in his coronary arteries.

Mahir Polat had previously fallen ill in prison due to high blood pressure. According to his lawyer's statement, he was first taken to the infirmary and then transferred to the hospital located within the prison. On March 29, Polat was taken by ambulance from the Marmara Closed Penal Execution Institution, where he was being held, to the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital.

On April 4, Mahir Polat appeared before a board at the hospital in the Marmara Closed Penal Execution Institution campus to determine whether it was suitable for him to remain in prison. It was decided that Polat should be transferred to the Council of Forensic Medicine.

Mahir Polat was transferred to the Council of Forensic Medicine on April 7. After his examination was completed, Polat was sent back to prison, and his lawyer Erkam Erdem stated, "In our meeting with him, he expressed that the transfer process went smoothly, that handcuffs were not used in most places, and that the prison guards and gendarmerie treated him very kindly, for which he was grateful. He also expressed that seeing the fair attitude of the doctors who performed the examination at the institution increased his faith in the justice of the decision they will make. At this stage, we expect the institution to prepare a final report without further delay and for the necessary actions to be taken accordingly."