Istanbul - Turkish authorities have issued a flat denial of mounting allegations that they killed and tortured protesting prisoners during raids on prisons last week in which at least 31 people died.
Yesterday's newspapers carried fresh claims by prisoners of torture during the raids. Officials say most of the 29 prisoners who died had set themselves on fire rather than end their protests, or been burned by other prisoners, but human rights groups dispute that account. Two paramilitary police also died.
