Some of the cases of academics who have been arrested either for signing the Peace Petition or for their alleged involvement in the Coup attempt (all have denied such charges) are below. Many have lost their jobs, been arrested and are unable to provide for their families. Some stories are below:
- Istanbul 10: Peaceful human rights advocates (one being the Director of Amnesty Insternational-Turkey) have been arrested and, until recently, held in a high security prison in Turkey. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2017/09/who-are-the-istanbul-ten-and-why-have-they-been-imprisoned-in-turkey/
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Esra Mungan, Asst. Prof. Dr. Meral Camci, Asst. Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Kaya and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kivanc Ersoy are first group of signers of Peace Petition being tried. Initial hearing was held on 12/22 and postponed until 3/30/18. http://m.bianet.org/english/law/181971-acquittal-requet-for-academics-for-peace-remains-wiothout-response
- Mustafa Ozen, academic at Turgut Ozal University was allegedly abducted (as reported by eyewitnesses). His wife has been told several times be police to stop following up on her husband’s case. (Turkey Purge, August 7, 2017) – https://turkeypurge.com/abducted-academics-wife-says-threatened-by-authorities-to-stop-pursuing-case
- Ayse Dayi signed the petition on January 11, 2016. A few days later she lost her jobas an Asst. Prof. of Psychology at a private university in Istanbul. Her story follows. Things got so bad in Turkey that she fled. http://www.news.uzh.ch/en/articles/2017/scholars-at-risk.html
- British Academic, Chris Stephenson had been working at Istanbul’s Bilgi University for the past 18 years, signed the Peace Petition, and his work permit was cancelled. He was arrested, taken to court and acquitted of all charges. He was the first. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-work-permit-of-british-academic-chris-stephenson-canceled-after-18-years-111741“
- Ali Basaran won a scholarship to study magnetic physics in the US. He was arrested with no evidence provided of being involved in the coup attempt. He denies any involvement. He is sharing how this has affected him and his family. (Physics Today, March 30, 2017, Andrew Grant) – http://physicstoday.scitation.org/do/10.1063/PT.5.9091/full/
- Sinan Birdal at Isik University was fired after refusing to withdraw his support of the Peace Petition. https://www.turkishminute.com/2017/03/28/isik-university-fires-academic-signing-peace-petition/
- Sedat Laciner, prominent academic, former univesity rector and former adviser to the Council of Higher Education, arrested with charges related to attempted coup, involvement in which Laciner denies. (University World News, April 6, 2017, Brendan O’Malley) – http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20170406143423683