Former Supreme Court Judge Samettin Uğur Makes Shocking Allegations: “I Spended 8 Years in Solitary Confinement, I Was Tortured”

Former Turkish Supreme Court judge Samettin Uğur has shared a detailed account of his detention, prosecution, and imprisonment in the years following the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, raising serious allegations about prison conditions, judicial processes, and the treatment of members of the judiciary during the post-coup crackdown.

In remarks published by KHK TV, Uğur described a series of events that he believes reflected broader systemic problems within Turkey’s legal and penal systems.

FROM THE BENCH TO DETENTION

According to Uğur, he had served in the Turkish judiciary for more than two decades, including nearly 18 years at the Supreme Court level. He recalled learning about investigations targeting senior judges and prosecutors while watching television coverage on the night of the coup attempt.

He said he remained at his residence until authorities arrived to detain him several days later, insisting that he had no intention of evading investigators.

LEGAL PROCESS UNDER SCRUTINY

Uğur argued that the legal proceedings against him lacked concrete evidence and relied heavily on routine professional activities that had previously been considered lawful.

He claimed that questioning focused on ordinary institutional and professional connections rather than acts directly linked to criminal conduct.

EIGHT YEARS IN ISOLATION

Following his arrest, Uğur was transferred through multiple correctional facilities, including prisons in Ankara, Kırıkkale, and Afyon.

He alleged that he spent approximately eight years in single-occupancy cells under highly restrictive conditions. According to his account, prolonged isolation, limited social contact, and inadequate prison facilities created significant psychological and physical challenges.

Uğur also claimed that basic furniture and materials necessary for preparing legal documents were withheld for extended periods, complicating his ability to defend himself effectively.

ALLEGATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURE

Among the claims detailed in the interview were allegations that detainees were regularly awakened during early morning prison counts with loud music.

Uğur described the practice as a form of psychological pressure and stated that some prisoners were subjected to exceptional monitoring measures under confidential administrative instructions.

CLAIMS OF ABUSE AND RETALIATION

The former judge further alleged that he witnessed instances of mistreatment involving other inmates and attempted to report those incidents through official channels.

According to Uğur, his efforts to raise concerns resulted in disciplinary investigations against him. He also claimed that he was physically assaulted after seeking to bring alleged abuse cases to the attention of prison authorities.

PRE-COUP BLACKLISTING ALLEGATIONS

One of the most notable aspects of Uğur’s testimony concerned allegations that certain judges and prosecutors had been identified and categorized years before the 2016 coup attempt.

He claimed that statements heard during judicial proceedings suggested that lists of targeted individuals had been prepared well in advance, raising questions about the origins and scope of post-coup investigations.

BROADER CONCERNS ABOUT JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Reflecting on his release in 2024, Uğur said the consequences of the post-coup period extended beyond those directly imprisoned. He alleged that several members of his family experienced professional and social repercussions despite not facing criminal accusations themselves.

He also expressed concern over what he described as the loss of experienced professionals from Turkey, arguing that large numbers of qualified judges, academics, engineers, and medical professionals had either left public service or moved abroad.

Concluding his remarks, Uğur stated that strengthening judicial independence, restoring public trust in legal institutions, and ensuring respect for fundamental rights remain essential challenges for Turkey’s future.

Kaynak: KHK TV