Turkish novelist jailed after July’s failed coup

Prize-winning Turkish writer, human rights activist, columnist Aslı Erdoğan has been charged with “membership of a terrorist organisation” and “undermining national unity” after July’s failed coup.

The renowned novelist was arrested over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on Aug. 20.

She told newsmen she is being treated in a way that will leave “permanent physical damage” in the prison she serves in Istanbul’s Bakırköy.

Erdoğan, whom the French literary magazine Lire named as one of the 50 most promising authors of the future, told the daily Hürriyet through her lawyer, Nesrullah Oğuz, that she was being treated in prison “in a way that will leave permanent damage on my body”.

She said she was sleeping in a bed that had previously been urinated in, and that she was not able to get access to her medication.

Her detention has prompted a wave of calls for her release.

“With the arrest of one of the nation’s most celebrated and internationally known authors, we can see that no poet, novelist, or playwright is safe in [President] Erdoğan’s Turkey,” said the novelist and translator Maureen Freely, president of English PEN, which is calling for the immediate release of those detained.

Erdoğan added that she is “aware of the solidarity being shown for her” on the outside.“I’m aware that great efforts are being spent. I’m aware of the sincerity and feelings in the messages that I receive. It may sound very vain, but I thank you very much lot,” she said.

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