Former prosecutor, TV pundit released pending trial
Although the movement denies any involvement in the failed coup, the Turkish government has launched a crackdown targeting its followers.
Gültekin Avcı, a former Turkish prosecutor and TV pundit, was released pending trial on Friday, according to the Milli Gazete daily.
He was detained on Sept. 18, 2015 as part of an investigation into a group of police officers and journalists who were accused of plotting a conspiracy against bureaucrats.
The court released him pending trial in June 2016; however, Avcı was arrested again in August of the same year for alleged membership in the faith-based Gülen movement, which is accused of orchestrating a 2016 coup attempt.
Although the movement denies any involvement in the failed coup, the Turkish government has launched a crackdown targeting its followers.
Two different cases against Avcı, one for conspiracy and one for membership in a terrorist organization, were later merged by the court.
As of today, 176 journalists are behind bars in Turkey, according to the Stockholm Center for Freedom (SCF).
Source: Turkish Minute
