E/CN.4/1991/17 page 58 stated that "no person bearing one of these two names was detained")' 'l^'o o:> the above-mentioned persons, Siddik Tan and Hasan Tiftik, were arrested aul charged. Charges were also filed against six others, who were released pending trial. The charges against the remaining eight were dropped. It wu>; stated that "as confirmed by medical reports, none of the above-mentioned persons was subjected to ill-treatment while in detention. The competent authorities have not received from these persons any complaint of ill-treatment." 186. On 28 November 1990 the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government of Turkey concerning Imam Fidan, Nazam Celikler and Mustafa Eser (the latter two were reported to be the Secretary and the Chairman, respectively, of an association called Karder), who were detained in their homes in Istanbul by the police on 14 November 1990 and are reported to be held incommunicado at Istanbul police headquarters. It was reported that their lawyer was refused access to them in spite of a permission granted to him by a prosecutor to visit his client. The Special Rapporteur's attention has also been drawn to the case of Ibrahim Sahin who was detained on 16 November 1990 and was reportedly seen being beaten by several police officers during his detention. He had reportedly been imprisoned and tortured on numerous previous occasions. In addition to the aforementioned, several other persons were reportedly detained in Istanbul on the same dates and are also said to be held incommunicado at Istanbul police headquarters. Their names were reported as follows: Imam Dogus, Ibrahim Dogus, Ali Dogus, Nurten Demir, Ali Tasozu, Mithat Zafer, Nihat Ozcan, Zaynep Polat, Leyla Polat and Sengul Mert. Fears have been expressed that the above-mentioned persons might be subjected to torture during interrogation. Letters and Government replies 187. On 5 January 1990 the Government of Turkey sent a letter to the Special Rapporteur in reply to his letters dated 19 April, 19 July and 14 November 1989 (E/CN.4/1990/17, paras. 154, 157 and 161 respectively). (a) With regard to the case of Ali Kent (para. 154) the Turkish Government provided the following information: "The relevant Turkish authorities have carefully examined the allegation of ill-treatment concerning Mr. Ali Kent. They have observed that the allegation did not contain any information on the real motives behind the imprisonment of Mr. Ali Kent and attempted to distort the facts by raising irrelevant and unfounded claims. Mr. Ali Kent has been sentenced to 15 years of heavy imprisonment because of treason to national security. ... The case of Ali Kent has been dealt with in conformity with the existing laws. However, the Government is not in a position to disclose further information, because of the confidential character of the case"; (b) With regard to the cases transmitted by letter dated 19 July 1989 (para. 157) the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that: 31 persons (including 20 whose names were mentioned in the Special Rapporteur's letter) were taken into custody on serious charges including the wounding of a police officer, participation in armed criminal conspiracy and opening fire in public places. Six persons who have been detained under custody from 15 to 22 May 1989 were arrested in accordance with a Court decision; other persons were released, pending further investigation, and the other accused persons