Release of Turkish singer, journalists from jail overturned
Apr 1, 2017
Turkey's state-run news agency says 21 people, ordered to be released from jail pending trial for membership in an armed terror organization, remain imprisoned
ISTANBUL — Turkey's state-run news agency says 21 people, ordered to be released from jail on Friday pending trial for membership in an armed terror organization, remain imprisoned.
Anadolu Agency said Saturday that a court blocked the release of eight people, and the prosecutor's office ordered the continued detention of 13 others who are now also being investigated on suspicion of attempting to overthrow the government.
The defendants, mostly journalists, went on trial this week for alleged links to U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey blames for the July 15 failed coup attempt. Gulen rejects the accusations.
Among those jailed is singer Atilla Tas who wrote a newspaper column and posted satirical tweets about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
More than 41,000 people have been arrested since the coup attempt.
