Turkish court orders release of local Amnesty chair Kilic, says rights group

15 Aug, 2018 13:25 / Updated 6 years ago

An Istanbul court has ordered the release of Taner Kilic from prison, the local honorary chair of Amnesty International, the human rights group said on Wednesday. Kilic, who has been in jail for a year as his trial continues, is charged with supporting a US-based cleric whom Ankara blames for a July 2016 failed coup. Kilic was expected to be released from prison later on Wednesday, Reuters reported. The decision came a day after a court, in the western province of Edirne, released two Greek soldiers facing espionage charges. Ankara is also involved in a dispute with the US over the detention of American Christian pastor Andrew Brunson for terrorism charges.