84-year-old Nusret Muğla dies after contracting COVID-19 in prison

Nusret Muğla,  an 84-year-old ailing man who was serving a sentence on conviction of links to the Gülen movement, passed away on Sunday after contracting COVID-19 in prison, the Stockholm Center for Freedom reported, citing the Bold Medya news website.

Muğla was admitted to the hospital on Saturday after displaying symptoms of the virus. In an earlier phone call to his son, Muğla had said a new inmate appeared to be sick and also did not feel well.

Muğla was incarcerated in a prison in western Manisa province despite suffering from multiple health problems including heart and kidney disease and prostate cancer. Muğla needed frequent medical attention and was kept in a quarantine cell for long periods of time.

Inmates who need to go to the hospital are required to stay in a quarantine cell when they return to prison due to COVID-19 measures. However, these cells are notorious for their poor conditions and overcrowding.

Muğla’s death sparked outrage and sorrow among many human rights activists and opposition politicians.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu tweeted that Muğla’s death could be considered murder because he should not have been in prison in his condition.