#Istanbul10: all released on bail

*** Remaining 8 detained activists freed after over 1 million people from around the world join international campaign ***

After more than 100 days of unjust imprisonment and strong international pressure, eight of the human rights defenders known as the “Istanbul 10” were released on bail today at Istanbul’s main courthouse in Istanbul Çağlayan. The remaining two were already out on bail.

The 10 human rights defenders, including Avaaz staff member Özlem Dalkıran and Amnesty International’s Turkey director Idil Eser, were arrested on July 5th, 2017, as they were attending a workshop on digital and personal security. The Prosecution requested their release on bail after failing to offer any evidence in support of accusations levied against them. However, they remain accused of ‘assisting an armed terrorist organisation’ and their case remains open at this time. If convicted at trial, they could be imprisoned for up to 15 years.

During the hearing, Özlem told the judges: "I have dedicated my life to truth and justice; that is all I ask of this court."

Fadi Quran, senior campaigner at Avaaz in the Middle East, said.

“Today we’re celebrating for our colleagues, who are free at long last. But the failure of the court to dismiss the false charges against them remains disappointing. We will keep fighting until justice is done in their case, and to bring attention to the thousands of journalists, intellectuals, and dreamers who remain imprisoned in Turkey.”

More than 1 million people from all over the world have signed a petition demanding that the Turkish government release Özlem and the Istanbul 10. Over 30,000 messages of solidarity for the activists were sent from around the world. Avaaz members also sent pictures of support from iconic landmarks to show the Turkish government that the Istanbul 10 are not alone. Worldwide protests marked their 100 days imprisonment and the birthday of İdil Eser.

The eight jailed human rights defenders are İdil Eser (Amnesty International), Günal Kurşun (Human Rights Agenda Association), Özlem Dalkıran (Citizens’ Assembly), Veli Acu (Human Rights Agenda Association), Ali Gharavi (IT strategy consultant), Peter Steudtner (non-violence and wellbeing trainer) and İlknur Üstün (Women's Coalition) and Nalan Erkem (Citizens Assembly). Two other human rights defenders arrested at the same time were released on bail three months ago. They are Şeyhmus Özbekli (Rights Initiative) and Nejat Taştan (Association for Monitoring Equal Rights). Amnesty’s Turkey chair, Taner Kılıç, who was arrested a month prior was also tried alongside Istanbul10.

More information:

Fadi Quran - fadi@avaaz.org / +970597599446 or Nana Queiroz - nana@avaaz.org / +55 61 98311-0567