Serkan Golge, formerly a scientist at NASA, was arrested and held in Turkish prison for past three years, mostly in isolation. He was released on probation on May 29 following a conversation between the heads of Turkey and the United States. Golge noted that the detention has had a “devastating impact” on his family, has seriously hurt their financial situation, and his job was terminated. He ... Continue Reading>>
Another Academic for Peace Sentenced to 2 Years, 1 Month in Prison
Ayşe Gül Altınay, an anthropology professor from Sabancı University was sentenced to 2 years and 1 month in prison on May 21, 2019. She is being charged with "knowingly and willingly aiding a terrorist organization as a non-member" for having signed a petition in 2016 protesting human rights violations in Southeastern Turkey (the Peace Petition). Her sentence is being appealed. To this day, 193 ... Continue Reading>>
NASA Scientist Imprisoned in Turkey, Has Been Released
Serkan Golge, the NASA scientist who was arrested in Turkey and was sentenced to seven years in prison on terrorism charges, was released on Wednesday evening, May 28, 2019. The scientist was arrested while on vacation in Turkey, visiting family in 2016. His parents confirmed that he is heading back to their home in Southern Turkey and has notified his wife and child. It is reported that the ... Continue Reading>>
Mathematician Tuna Altinel Imprisoned in Turkey Without a Formal Sentence from the Court
Following this post is a PETITION from the Mathematics Department of Lyon 1 University for Tuna Altinel. Please add your name. Here is a link to that petition: https://math.univ-lyon1.fr/petitionTunaAltinel/en/free-tuna-altinel/ Tuna Altinel is a mathematics professor at France’s Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University. He was arrested last weekend in Turkey and accused of "propagandizing for a ... Continue Reading>>
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute and the Anti-Torture Initiative Sent a Joint Open Letter to the President of Turkey Condemning Criminal Proceedings Against Dr. Fincanci as Well as the Conviction/Sentence
Dr. Sebnem Korur Fincanci, President of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, a world renowned expert on torture and co-author of the Istanbul Protocol (guidelines setting international standards for forensic investigations of torture) was criminally charged for signing the Academics for Peace petition and sentenced to two and a half years in prison, almost twice the amount of time given to the ... Continue Reading>>
Trial of Turkish Academics Who Signed Peace Petition Leading to Jail Time and Deferred Sentences
The first group of Turkish Academics who received indictments have been brought before the courts recently. 700 (of 1,128) have been questioned by police, 542 have been indicted and are in some phase of the trial process. 59 have been sentenced to 15 months, 3 have been sentenced to 18 months, one to 27 months and one to 30 months. All had their sentences deferred except for those refusing to ... Continue Reading>>
Betul Tanbay, Professor of Mathematics at Bogazici University and Vice President-Elect of the European Mathematical Society and Turgut Tarhanli, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Istanbul Bilgi University, Among 13 Prominent Academics, Journalists and Activists Detained on November 15, 2018 By Turkish Authorities
On November 15, 2018, Drs. Tanbay and Tarhanli, were among 13 prominent professionals arrested in Turkey. They were questioned regarding their links to the Anatolia Culture Association. The group was accused of trying to bring down the government due to their involvement in a series of large anti-government demonstration that took place in Istanbul’s Gezi Park in 2013. Twelve of those detained ... Continue Reading>>
Serkan Golge’s Wife, Kubra, Pleads for His Release
Serkan Golge, U.S. NASA Scientist is still confined in a Turkish prison falsely accused of participating in the failed coup attempt in Turkey in the Spring of 2016. The U.S. Government pressured Turkey successfully to release Reverend Brunson, but Golge is still confined in Turkish jail. CCS has written requesting a review of this case, dismissal of the charges and Golge’s immediate release and ... Continue Reading>>
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Visited Turkey Today and Addressed Release of Serkan Golge, US NASA Scientist
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo travelled to Turkey today to discuss several issues - one being the release of U.S. NASA scientist, Serkan Golge. Dr. Golge has been confined since 2016 after being accused of involvement with the failed coup attempt as a supporter of Gulen. Dr. Golge has denied Gulenist and coup involvement. He was, however, initially sentenced to 7.5 years in prison, which was ... Continue Reading>>
NASA Scientist Still Held in Turkish Prison – Needs Concerted U.S. Help for Release
Dr. Serkan Golge, an American citizen and a scientist working with NASA on their Mission to Mars program, was arrested while on vacation with his family, visiting his parents in Turkey. He was accused of being a participant in the failed coup attempt against the President of Turkey. He has always denied the charge. There appears to be very little corroborative evidence in this case and his ... Continue Reading>>