Turkey probes mistreatment in juvenile prison

ANKARA - The Associated Press

DHA Photo

Turkey's justice minister says 200 inmates will be moved from a juvenile prison following allegations of mistreatment by prison officials there and sexual abuse by fellow inmates.

Sadullah Ergin says inspectors have launched a probe into the allegations of mistreatment at the prison in the southern town of Pozantı.

Ergin said Friday four prison officials were assigned to posts elsewhere and could face further sanctions.
The allegations were first made public last summer when seven boys told human rights activists about their ordeal. The government's action comes after a delegation of opposition lawmakers publicized the incident this week.

Ergin says all inmates will be transferred within a week to another prison near Ankara, where they will receive psychiatric therapy.