Turkish pop star supports academics under government fire

ISTANBUL

Iconic Turkish pop star Sezen Aksu has called for the release of three jailed academics - Esra Mungan, Muzaffer Kaya and Kıvanç Ersoy - who were arrested by an Istanbul court on March 15 for “making terrorism propaganda” when they read out a much debated petition that angered the government and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. 

“Scholars are the ones who will carry Turkey onward. The academics should be released immediately without this situation causing our country further humiliation,” daily Cumhuriyet quoted her as saying. 

The declaration entitled “We won’t be a part of this crime” called for an end to clashes in southeastern Turkish provinces. 

The three were detained for holding a press conference on March 10 at the Education and Science Workers’ Union’s (EĞİTİM-SEN) 6th office in Istanbul. 

Many of the more than 1,000, who had signed the petition have faced probes at their schools.