Nihat Şahin,53, was expected to be released on 4 June 2025 from Tekirdağ No. 1 F-Type High-Security Closed Prison, but his release prevented by the Administration and Observation Board's report stating that he was “not in good behaviour”. On 27 May 2025, the Administration and Observation Board, which conducted a “conditional release” assessment, cited Nihat Şahin's refusal to accept “compulsory repentance” for 30 years and his failure to participate in psychosocial service interviews as reasons for not releasing him. The Board also cited Nihat Şahin's participation in hunger strikes as a reason, stating that he was “not ready to reintegrate into society”. The Board set the next “conditional release” date for 4 December 2025.   

 

Nihat Şahin, who was arrested on 12 June 1995 and sentenced to life imprisonment, has been held in prisons in Amed (Diyarbakır), Giresun, Adıyaman, Karabük and Osmaniye. Ekrem Şahin, the brother of Nihat Şahin, who is currently being held in Tekirdağ Prison, said that the prevention of the release of political prisoners does not meet the expectations of the families of prisoners at a time when a solution is being discussed. 

 

'BOARD DECISIONS DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROCESS'

 

Ekrem Şahin stated that his brother Nihat Şahin was arrested in 1995 while studying civil engineering in Dîlok (Antep) and sentenced to life imprisonment. He said, “He was supposed to be released on 4 June, but his release was prevented even though he had not received any disciplinary punishment.” Ekrem Şahin said that they were certain that his brother would be released due to the process: "While we are waiting for those with short sentences to be released, those whose sentences have ended are not being released. There is a peace process initiated under the leadership of Mr. Öcalan. There are negotiations with the state. Bahçeli has made efforts. In this process, my brother's release is being prevented due to a fabricated committee in prison. The committee's decisions do not contribute to the process."

 

“FORCING REMORSE IS DISHONOURABLE”

 

Ekrem Şahin reacted to the imposition of remorse on prisoners: "It is meaningless to ask prisoners if they are remorseful after 30 years. If these people were remorseful, they would have been remorseful 30 years ago. Imposing repentance is dishonourable. Besides, they have not done anything to be repentant about. The committees have no legal basis; they are completely arbitrary. Right now, prisoners are being held captive by the committees.” 

 

Ekrem Şahin said as a sign of good faith in this process, prisoners should be released: “My mother and father are ill and are seriously questioning this process. Prisoners are serving 30 years and are being held captive for another 6 years arbitrarily. The PKK made a decision and stopped its activities. Elderly and ill prisoners must be released without exception. These people are imprisoned on the grounds that they are PKK members. Since the PKK has ended its activities, why are these people still being held?" 

 

'THE PRESENCE OF PRISONERS IS AGAINST THE LAW'

 

Ekrem Şahin called for the abolition of the Administration and Observation Boards for social peace: "People who could contribute to this process are being held inside. If these people were outside, the question marks in people's minds would diminish. Our call to all legal circles is this: we have been longing for peace for 50 years. We want to trust in the sincerity of peace. We are waiting for steps that will dispel the questions in people's minds."  

 

MA / Emrullah Acar