2 of 11 Beşiktaş Fans Arrested over “Nuriye, Semih Shall Live” Banners Released

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Two of the 11 Beşiktaş sports club fans arrested on the charge of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" for holding banners reading "Nuriye, Semih Shall Live" during a game with Konyaspor have been released upon objections by their attorneys.

According to sendika.org, the fans were released upon objections by their attorneys.

What happened?

During a football match played in Samsun in August, Beleştepe fans group unfolded a banner reading "Nuriye, Semih Shall Live" to support arrested academics Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça. Gülmen and Özakça have been on a hunger strike in order to be reinstated to their jobs after being discharged through a statutory decree issued under the State of Emergency.

Samsun Chief Prosecutor's Office, releasing a written statement on the issue, announced that a "warrant has been issued to forcibly take 17 people identified to have held banners supporting Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front DHKP-C armed terrorist organization and its militants".

Beleştepe fan group member Volkan Çalışkan was arrested on August 13 and sent to Sincan Prison. Two other fans were released on probation after testifying.

Detained on August 16 during house raids by police, 10 fans were arrested on the charge of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" for holding the banners. One fan was released on probation. (BK/DG)