Academic released from arrest after 'long live Kurdistan' post

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An academic who was suspended from duty and arrested because of a social media post where he said, "Long live Kurdistan" (Bijî Kurdistan) has been released.

Hifzullah Kutum, a research assistant at Fırat University Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, is charged with "terror propaganda."

Examining an appeal against his arrest, the Elazığ 2nd Heavy Penal Court released Kutum today (November 10), his attorney Mehmet Emin Aktar said on Twitter.

They will also take legal action against the rector's decision to suspend him, said the attorney.

Kutum wrote, "Happy September Revolution to all Kurds. Long live Kurdistan," in Kurdish in the post subject to the investigation (Şoreşa Îlonê hemû Kurdan pîroz be, Bijî Kurdistan).

The rector's office issued a warning to him on November 3 and suspended him two days later. A flag of Turkey was hung on the door of his office. (KÖ/VK)