Mümtaz’er Türköne, who was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in the Zaman newspaper case, has been released. The application of Türköne for penalty decision to appeal, was rejected on 25 June 2019 by the 2nd Criminal Chamber of the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice.

Rejection decision to Turkone from Constitutional Court

He had applied to the higher court due to the reasons that; the detention is not legal, the detention exceeds the reasonable period, the access to the investigation file is restricted, the detention examinations are carried out without being brought before the judge / court, the peace judgeships are not independent and impartial, the detention review decisions are not notified, and the objection to the detention is not examined, the right to appeal to detention cannot be exercised, various constitutional rights due to the imposition of measures on property, freedom of communication due to the restrictions in the penal institution, the presumption of innocence due to the statements of politicians, freedom of expression and press freedom were violated due to the detention of actions within the scope of journalistic activities and freedom of expression.

The court found admissible only the claims that the right to liberty and security of person and the right to freedom of expression and press were violated. The other 9 applications were evaluated as “unacceptable”. In its assessment on the right to liberty and security of person and the right to freedom of expression and press, the court decided that there was no violation of rights.

Bahçeli’s tweets brought the agenda again

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli had asked Turkone to be retried.

Bahçeli’s tweets were as follows:

• Some names who were in contact and contact with FETO over time and in time were sometimes owned and supported by CHP and sometimes by different circles. These individuals, whose identity is clearly known by our nation, have been shown as victims whose rights have been defeated.
• The latest violation of the terrorist Demirtaş, and the Turkish state’s compensation of 50 thousand liras, rightfully ached their conscience. Justice is not laundering the crime, not exonerating the guilty, but doing exactly what the rights and law require.

Mümtaz’er Türköne was detained in July 2016 and arrested on August 5, 2016.Türköne had been in prison for more than 4 years.