US welcomes Turkey's release of jailed NASA scientist

WASHINGTON- Anadolu Agency

The U.S. on May 29 welcomed Turkey's release of a jailed NASA scientist who had been sentenced to over seven years in prison on terrorism-related charges.       

Serkan Gölge, 39, is a dual U.S.-Turkish citizen whose release Washington had been lobbying for after he was detained in 2016. He was convicted in February 2018 of having ties to FETÖ which Turkey accuses of being behind a defeated coup attempt in 2016.       

State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said the U.S. welcomed Gölge's release but declined to offer additional details.       

“We want to commend them for doing the right thing today,” Ortagus said, referring to Turkey. "We will continue to provide all appropriate consular services to Mr. Gölge, including making sure he can return home as soon as possible."