Mustafa Balbay Freed

Istanbul 13^th High Criminal Court released Mustafa Balbay, CHP deputy and journalist who was convicted to 34 years and 8 months of prison in Ergenekon case. 

Recently, Balbay’s lawyers applied to Istanbul 13^th High Criminal Court after a constitutional court ruling saying that his long prison term without conviction. 

Jailed since March 6, 2009, Balbay was charged with “attempting to oust the government” according to “coup chronicles notes” - a series of note released by Nokta magazine in 2007. 

Initially detained on July 1, 2008 for related charges, Balbay was released on July 5, 2008. 

On March 5, 2009, however, a prosecutor objected the release, causing his arrest on March 6, 2009. 

Since then, Balbay was jailed in Silivri Prison. (EKN/BM)