Serkan Golge, from his LinkedIn profile
NASA scientist Serkan Golge, who has been employed as a senior research scientist with the American space program, was arrested in Turkey following the failed coup attempt and charged with espionage. He has been researching the health effects of time spent in space on the human body.
The Committee of Concerned Scientists has been making inquiries in an attempt to have him released and to have charges against him dropped. His co-workers expressed concern that he may be in danger after they did not hear from him for several days. Word was released that he had been arrested.
CCS has contacted the American Embassy in Turkey and has written to Vice President Biden requesting that he address this issue while he is in Turkey later this week.
Related Articles
- NASA scientist detained in Turkey following failed coup (scitation.aip.org)
- Turkish-origin man working at NASA arrested in probe over coup attempt (hurriyetdailynews.com)
August 16, 2016
Joseph Biden
The Vice President
Old Executive Office Building
Washington, DC 20501Dear Mr. Vice President:
We are writing on behalf of the members of the Committee of Concerned Scientists, an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars (many of whom are Nobel Laureates) devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for our colleagues all over the world.
At this time, we are very concerned about the welfare of our colleagues in Turkey. Many of the members of both the scientific and academic communities have been affected by the actions of the aftermath of the coup attempt. Clearly, in a democratic country where the leaders are selected by the people, we would never advocate for the overthrow of any government. Neither, however, would most of the country’s academics nor scientists.
Many of the members of both communities, having no involvement with the coup, have been either suspended or terminated from their jobs, while others have been detained or arrested, with no due process. Most have not, to our understanding, been charged, have not been afforded attorneys, nor have access to their family members.
Additionally, there is a physicist, in particular – an American citizen, who went to Turkey prior to the coup to visit his parents and was arrested in the post-coup period. He is a scientist with NASA and we are quite concerned about his well-being.
We understand that you will be in Turkey to meet with President Erdogan this Friday. We would urge you to address these issues with him and obtain assurances for due process and the safety of the academic and scientific community; and the release of Serkan Golge, the NASA scientist.
If there is further information we could provide that would be of help to you, please contact us for assistance. We look forward to hearing from you in this regard upon your return.
Most respectfully,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich,
Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander GreerCo-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Copies to:
Mr. Steve Ricchetti
Chief of Staff to the Vice President
Of the United States
Old Executive Office Building
Washington, DC 20501