Hunger-striker Nuriye Gülmen gets freed, convicted of terror charges

REUTERS

Nuriye Gülmen, a Turkish educator who has been on hunger strike since she was dismissal from her post following the July 2016 coup attempt, was convicted on Dec. 1 of belonging to a banned far-left group but the court ordered her release pending an appeal.

Gülmen, 35-years-old, was sentenced to six years and three months in jail for being a member of the outlawed militant leftist DHKP-C group, deemed a terrorist organisation by Turkey, defense lawyers told Reuters.

She was found not guilty of lesser charges including organizing illegal rallies. 

Gülmen had been hospitalized before the trial began due to her worsening health after seven months of surviving on water, herbal tea and sugar and salt solutions.

Primary school teacher Semih Özakça, 28, who has also been on hunger strike, was acquitted on similar charges. The Ankara court had ordered his release on Oct. 21 for the remainder of the trial, on condition that he wear an ankle monitor.

A third defendant, Acun Karadağ, was acquitted on a lesser charge of participating in illegal rallies. 

The pair were detained in May and jailed pending the start of the trial in September. On Sept. 12, days before the teachers
were due in court, the prosecution issued detention warrants for the lawyers who were set to defend them.