In July of 2016 during a family vacation, NASA scientist, Dr. Serkan Golge, was arrested in Turkey as he and his family were preparing to return to the United States. He was accused of being affiliated with “FETO,” the organization that was suspected, by the President of Turkey, of planning the failed coup attempt that took place on July 15th. Dr. Golge vehemently denied this charge. Since his arrest, Dr. Golge has been tried and sentenced to 7.5 years in prison. The academic community, human rights organizations throughout the world and his colleagues at NASA have requested a review of this case and Dr. Golge’s immediate release.
This past week the U.S. Government interceded on behalf of a Pastor in the same situation. He was released on house arrest while his trial is proceeding. CCS, at this time, is calling on the U.S. Government to obtain the release of Dr. Golge, the charges dropped and facilitate his return to the United States and continue his valuable contributions to the space program at NASA.
August 6, 2018
Michael R. Pompeo
United States Secretary of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Secretary Pompeo:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars dedicated to protecting the human rights and scientific freedom of colleagues around the world.
This past week you were effective in having Rev. Andrew Brunson freed from a Turkish prison. We were delighted to see him released, despite the fact that the conditions require house arrest. As a result of your success in this endeavor, we wanted to again bring to your attention the case of a United States NASA scientist who is also serving time for the same false charge of being involved in the failed coup attempt that took place in July 0f 2016. We are seeking your help in achieving the release of the 36-year-old NASA scientist, Dr. Serkan Golge.
Dr. Golge was arrested in July 2016 during a family vacation in the Turkish Hatay province, on suspicion of belonging to the “FETO” organization run by Fethullah Gülen. Gülen has been accused by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, of orchestrating the failed coup attempt on July 15th. A one-dollar American bill was found in Dr. Golge’s possession when arrested. It was presented to the judge as the incriminating evidence against him. The serial number of the bill allegedly represented Golge’s place in the hierarchy of the Gülen organization. Dr. Golge has vehemently denied his involvement with the Gülen organization or the coup.
Since his arrest, Dr. Golge has been tried and sentenced to 7.5 years in prison. The academic community and the human rights organizations worldwide and his colleagues at NASA have expressed dismay in connection with the unlawful imprisonment of Dr. Golge and have demanded his immediate release from Turkey – to date, with no response.
We trust that you will not abandon a U.S. citizen in trouble and will help achieve the release of Dr. Golge from prison and his safe return to the United States to continue to make his valuable contribution to the US space program at NASA.
We look forward to your response and a successful effort to free Dr. Golge.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich,
Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Cc:
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