Pro far-right MHP mob boss receives right to unlimited visitors in prison

Jailed Turkish gang leader Alaattin Çakıcı, who was recently given a medical report stating he suffers from 16 different illnesses, of which six could be potentially fatal, was granted permission for unlimited visitations from family and friends alike, pro-government Hürriyet newspaper reported.

Çakıcı was indicted in 1995 for contracting the killing of his wife in front of their son before fleeing abroad. Following his 1998 extradition from France, Çakıcı was released from prison in 2002. In 2004 Çakıcı was extradited again, this time from Austria, and has been in prison ever since, convicted of various charges including organising and leading a crime syndicate, instigating murder, and insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The gang leader, known for his close relations with Erdoğan ally far-rigth National Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, was in the spotlight last week for his scathing letter to the Turkish president in addition to his threats directed at journalists from behind bars.

Çakıcı received a medical report on June 22, Hürriyet said, and was thereby granted permission see family and friends ''to boost his morale'' seven days a week.

 Bahçeli in early May called for a general amnesty for people convicted for different crimes, specifically citing Çakıcı. His request was denied by the Turkish president.