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>>
Hanifi Baris, Signer of Peace Petition, Goes to Court on September 18th for Re-Posting Articles on Social Media. International Observers Invited to Attend Hearing
Hanifi Baris was arrested for posting items of “criminal intent” (reposting articles from Turkish newspapers and other newspapers and magazines) on the internet and to which he did not add any of his own commentary. He has been held in pre-trial detention for this since July 4, 2018. On September 18, 2018 he is scheduled to have his court hearing at the Caglayan Courthouse. International ... Continue Reading>>
NASA Scientist Imprisoned in Turkey Scheduled for Court Hearing on September 19, 2018. CCS Requesting Written Support from Members of the International Scientific Community
Serkan Golge, a NASA scientist has been confined in jail in Turkey since July 2016, when he was arrested on a family vacation and accused of being involved with the failed coup attempt that took place in Turkey on July 15, 2016. Golge denied the charges but was sentenced to 7.5 years. Golge has an appeal hearing on September 19, 2018 and CCS is requesting that people in the scientific community ... Continue Reading>>
NASA Scientist Still Imprisoned in Turkey – Need US Government to Intercede
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 ... Continue Reading>>
Economics Professor Sentenced to Life in Prison in Turkey – Released Awaiting Appeal
Mehmet Altan, a professor of Economics at Istanbul University (where he had taught for over 30 years) and a prolific writer, was convicted, along with his brother, Ahmet, and a journalist, Nazli Ilicak for their alleged involvement in a 2016 failed military coup in Turkey. It is alleged that they sent “subliminal messages” regarding the failed coup attempt while on a television show. It seems, ... Continue Reading>>
Turkish Academic Sentenced to 15 Months for Signing Peace Petition
Professor Busra Ersanli, one of more than 2,000 signatories of the group, Academics for Peace, who signed a petition asking the government to discontinue the heavy-handed way they were dealing with the Kurdish citizens, was sentenced to 15 months in jail - finding her guilty of terrorist propaganda. Erdogan criticized the signatories and said they were equal to terrorists. Link: ... Continue Reading>>
Istanbul Technical University Academics Sentenced for Alleged Participation in Terrorist Group
On Friday, May 25th, sixteen academics from Istanbul University were sentenced to prison terms varying from 3 years to 7.5 years for their alleged support of the Gulen movement. All were convicted and charged with membership in a terrorist group. The Turkish government has accused the followers of Gulen of masterminding the July 15, 2016 failed coup attempt. More than 150,000 people, including ... Continue Reading>>
Peace Petition Signers Work Within International Support Group
The signers of the Peace Petition produced a brochure explaining Academics for Peace and its mission. Additionally, they have spelled out what can be done to assist those who have been fired, arrested, or hurt in this struggle to speak their minds. ... Continue Reading>>
The Situation Worsens In Turkey for Academics
Prior to the coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016, many academics in Turkish universities jointly signed a statement called "The Peace Petition," requesting the government end the violence and open the way to dialogue and a lasting peace. Shortly thereafter the attempted coup took place and there was a large round-up of suspected persons involved. The signors of the Peace Petition were thrown ... Continue Reading>>