Turkey: Teacher given 6 years on terror charges, freed

By Ismet Karakas

ANKARA

A Turkish court on Friday released a former teacher under judicial control after sentencing her to over six years in prison on terrorism charges.

Nuriye Gulmen attended Friday's hearing at the 19th Heavy Penal Court in the capital Ankara through videoconferencing from Numune Hospital, where she has been in the intensive care unit.

Gulmen, a former literature professor, and Semih Ozakca, a former schoolteacher, both began a hunger strike this March after being dismissed by a decree under the state of emergency declared after last year’s defeated coup.

They were arrested in May for allegedly being members of a terrorist organization, the far-left group DHKP-C.

During the trial, witnesses said Gulmen had equipment for explosives and had actually made explosives.

Gulmen sent her resume to the DHKP-C, one witness testified.

After Gulmen was convicted of terrorist group membership, the judge released her with conditions such as that she not leave the country.

She is now expected to file an appeal.

Gulmen and Ozakca have been on hunger strike for 269 days. On Oct. 20, Ozakca was placed under house arrest pending trial.