Nine Inmates Die in TRNC Central Prison Over Four Years

Nine inmates have died in the Nicosia Central Prison over the past four years, raising serious concerns about the lack of on-site medical staff. Starting in May, a nurse and a dentist will be appointed to the prison — but the position for a full-time doctor remains vacant.

According to Kibris Postasi, most of the inmates died either before reaching the hospital or during transportation.

Here’s a breakdown of the deaths:

• 2021: Kazan Imam

• 2022: Osman Demir, Şerife Güler, and Hakan Oğuz

• 2023: Hüsnü Dallioud

• 2024: Yalçın Dal

• 2025: Anthony Edward Bolger, Tevfik Kuyukuğulları, and Mehmet Doğu

Some of the deceased were already undergoing treatment for serious health conditions, while others died suddenly in their cells before help could arrive. One of the most recent cases was that of 45-year-old Mehmet Doğu, who had been convicted of murder. He fell ill in prison and was being transported to the hospital when he died en route.

In an interview on the program Sabah Postası, Interior Minister Dursun Oğuz said that the prison population had decreased from 1,000 to around 800 inmates. Under a new law passed in 2022, doctors, dentists, and nurses were officially assigned to the prison.

“It’s the state’s duty to protect those in its custody,” Oğuz said. “We have a vacancy for a full-time doctor. A nurse and dentist will start work in May.”

So far, however, no candidates have applied for the doctor position. While some guards have basic medical training, the law requires licensed healthcare professionals to provide medical services. Currently, two doctors visit the prison each week as part of an agreement with the Ministry of Health.

There is also a shortage of security staff. The government plans to launch a recruitment drive to hire 60 male and 15 female prison guards in the near future.