Prison siege leaders 'will release hostages'

ISTANBUL, Turkey -- The leaders of a prison siege in Turkey in which five inmates have been killed have agreed to release their 29 hostages, the justice ministry said.

Police had planned to storm the prison after rioters took staff and other prisoners hostage on Thursday.

But the operation was cancelled after the siege leaders agreed to surrender by Friday morning, a ministry statement said.

"The operation was suspended and necessary measures will be taken in the area until the event is brought to an end," the ministry said.

The statement said 10 inmates had been thrown from windows of a building at the Usak prison in Western Turkey, some of them already injured. Five survived the fall.

"The total death toll is five with the deaths in hospital of three who were thrown out injured by bullet wounds, one who was thrown out suffering a blow and one who was already dead," the statement said.

The fatalities were the latest outbreak of violence in a crumbling and overcrowded prison system over which authorities have little control.

The ministry blamed two brothers, convicted under organised crime laws and relocated from an Istanbul prison where they had "constantly fought" with a rival gang, for starting the unrest.

A lawyer representing the brothers said his clients were concerned about their security and were demanding that "their friends" in other prisons be moved to Usak prison.

Security forces moved in after authorities feared more casualties or the violence spreading to other prisons.

"It is understood that there are large quantities of weapons and ammunition in the jail," the statement said.

The state-run Anatolian news agency said gunshots were heard after authorities entered the prison to try to end the standoff, the fourth hostage-taking at a Turkish prison in two weeks.

In 1999, 10 prisoners died when paramilitary police stormed a prison in the capital Ankara to end an uprising.

Large dormitory-style wards in Turkish prisons allow inmates to organise activities outside using mobile telephones.

They can also barricade themselves in and often have home-made weapons or guns smuggled from outside.

Plans to build new prisons with smaller cells are proceeding slowly.

Politicians say a long-awaited general amnesty, partly to ease overcrowding, is a priority for this session of parliament.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Inmates release some guards held hostage in Turkey prisons
Octoboer 1, 1999
Turkey vows 'peaceful' end to prison riots
September 28, 1999

Turkish Government Directorate of Press and Information

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