British envoy expresses concern over detention of academics

ANKARA

British Ambassador to Turkey Richard Moore underlined the importance of freedom of expression in a democratic society and especially in education and expressed concern over the investigation carried out against academics who issued a declaration on ongoing operations in the Southeast.

"Like others, I am very concerned to hear reports of academics being suspended and investigated for expressing their views on conflict in Southeast. Freedom of expression is vital in a democratic society, and especially in education. That includes the right to express views we might think are mistaken, or one-sided," Moore said in his statement.

Detentions of numbers of academics because of signing a declaration criticizing the government on ongoing terror operations in the Southeast Anatolia caused reactions in the international community.