Ex-Military Chief İlker Başbuğ Ordered to Be Released

Istanbul 20th High Criminal Court ordered the released of İlker Başbuğ, Turkey's jailed ex-military chief within Ergenekon case, after the Constitutional Court ruling about his rights have been violated.

Currently jailed in Silivri Prison, Başbuğ has been arrested on January 6, 2012 - serving in prison more than two years. 

Previously, Turkey’s Constitutional Court ruled that İlker Başbuğ’s rights to personal liberty and security have been violated according to Constitution Article 19 Paragraph 8. 

The Constitutional Court observed that the local courts have promptly rejected Başbuğ’s case that he had been deprived of his liberty unlawfully without a thorough investigation and the case has not been taken to the court of appeals prior as the detailed verdict has yet to be declared - which eventually led to the violation of Başbuğ’s rights. 

Constitution Article 19 Paragraph 8: Persons deprived of their liberty under any circumstances are entitled to apply to the appropriate judicial authority for speedy conclusion of proceedings regarding their situation and for their release if the restriction placed upon them is not lawful. (AS/BM)