Barbaros Şansal Released

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Fashion designer Barbaros Şansal, who was arrested on charge of “inciting people to hostility and animosity” and sent to Silivri Prison, has been released by İstanbul 5th Heavy Penal Court.

Şansal’s attorney Efkan Bolaç announced his release on Twitter.

Bolaç: The arrest was a mistake from the beginning

Speaking to KaosGl.org concerning the decision, Bolaç said:

“Keeping someone who didn’t even have to be there for 60 days indicates that this was not an intention of taking measure but punishment. We don’t know how true to be happy with his release since the arrest was a mistake from the beginning. The arrest shouldn’t have taken place at all”.

What happened?

Fashion designer Barbaros Şansal had shared a video on social media saying "Are you still celebrating the new year while so many journalists are under arrest, so many children are being harassed and raped, there is so much fraud, bribery and bigots share crap on the streets together with religious annunciators".

Stating that he shared the video in Northern Cyrpus, Şansal had drawn some circles' reaction for saying "I hope you die in your own shit Turkey".

Deported from Northern Cyprus due to his social media sharings following Reina attack, subjected to lynch attempt in Turkey and detained, Barbaros Şansal was detained following prosecution questioning on charge of "inciting people to hate and hostility" on January 4, 2017, and arrested on February 3, 2017.