Cancer Behind Bars: CHP’s Mehmet Murat Çalık Rushed to Hospital Again

The political and judicial turmoil surrounding Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık has deepened, as reports confirm that the imprisoned CHP politician—already battling serious health problems—was once again transferred to the hospital.

Dismissed CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik shared the news during the Extraordinary CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress, expressing outrage at what he described as a case of “enemy law” and political exile.

“Exiled, Sick, and Still in Prison”

Speaking before party delegates, Çelik highlighted the severity of the situation:

“We just received word, my friends told me—he has once again been hospitalized. He was sent 600 kilometers away from his home and family, exiled to İzmir. He has survived cancer twice, suffers from extreme weight loss and health problems, yet remains in prison under cruel conditions. Our dear brother, Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık, we salute you.”

According to party sources, Çalık has lost 18 kilograms in just 3.5 months, raising alarms over his ability to withstand continued incarceration.

Constitutional Court Rejects Release Request

The Constitutional Court (AYM) recently issued a critical ruling on Çalık’s case. His legal team had petitioned for release on health grounds, citing medical reports warning of a recurrence risk linked to his previous cancer diagnoses. However, the Court rejected the plea, opting instead for a “precautionary measure” decision that allows him to remain in custody despite his fragile condition.

Çalık’s lawyers strongly criticized the move, arguing that:

“The hospital reports clearly flagged the risk of recurrence, yet these warnings were not evaluated by the Court.”

A History of Medical Battles

Mehmet Murat Çalık, a graduate of Istanbul Technical University’s Faculty of Architecture, Department of City and Regional Planning, has long battled health challenges.

• He has twice undergone cancer treatment in the past.

• On July 4, following his transfer to İzmir’s Buca Kırıklar Prison, he underwent another operation for suspected lymphoma.

• He was hospitalized after collapsing in prison, raising concerns that his detention conditions are aggravating his medical state.

Despite repeated appeals from his family, party members, and legal representatives, his requests for temporary release for medical treatment have been denied.

From Mayor to Prisoner

Çalık was elected Mayor of Beylikdüzü in the 2019 local elections, representing the Republican People’s Party (CHP). His arrest came amid a broader investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), which opposition figures claim is politically motivated.

Following his detention, he was formally suspended from his mayoral duties. The case has since become a focal point in the national debate over judicial independence, political rivalry, and human rights.

The Bigger Picture: Health and Human Rights

Çalık’s case has sparked nationwide debate on the intersection of political imprisonment and healthcare rights. Human rights organizations argue that denying proper medical treatment or ignoring health risks violates both domestic law and international conventions.

Legal experts note that Turkey’s judicial system has faced increasing criticism for cases where precautionary detention is applied despite severe health risks to detainees.

What Lies Ahead?

As Çalık continues his medical struggle behind bars, the case raises urgent questions:

• Can Turkey’s judicial system ensure the right to health for political detainees?

• Will precautionary measures outweigh medical recommendations?

• And what precedent does this set for other high-profile cases?

For now, the only certainty is that Mehmet Murat Çalık’s fate remains caught between politics, law, and medicine—a tense intersection where human dignity hangs in the balance.