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Shortly after the İstanbul 26th Heavy Penal Court ruled for their release in the retrial held in the wake of a Court of Cassation verdict of reversal, journalist and writer Ahmet Altan and Nazlı Ilıcak were released from Silivri Prison and Bakırköy Women's Prison last night (November 5).
While Altan was welcomed by his several friends and relatives, Ilıcak was greeted in front of the prison by his relatives, including his son Mehmet Ali Ilıcak and his elder brother Ömer Çavuşoğlu.
Altan: You cannot be happy
Making a brief statement after being released from prison, Ahmet Altan said, "You cannot go out that happily. There are fellows that you have left behind in prison, you cannot be happy. It is better to stay and see people off in these conditions. I saw people off, you become happy for them. These fellows are innocent and they stay inside."
'I don't let my years pass for nothing'
Altan also said, "I felt a bit sad when I first heard my verdict of release. The other fellows have not been released, I feel so sorry for them. There are thousands of innocent men inside. It is, of course, a bit sad."
Telling the reporters that he missed looking at the sky most, Altan also said, "My years have not gone to waste. I did not let my years pass for nothing. I wrote books. I do not lose my years that much."
Ilıcak: Enact the law on execution of senctences
Released from Bakırköy Women's Prison in İstanbul, journalist and writer Nazlı Ilıcak said, "May Allah give strength to those who are left behind bars. Please, do not let them be forgotten. Please, let this law on execution of sentences be enacted as soon as possible."
CLICK - Verdict of Release for Ahmet Altan and Nazlı Ilıcak, Acquittal for Mehmet Altan
They were arrested in 2016
Ahmet Altan and Mehmet Altan were taken into custody on September 1, 2016 as part of the investigation launched into July 15 coup attempt.
While Mehmet Altan was arrested on September 22, 2016, Ahmet Altan was released. However, one day later, on September 23, Ahmet Altan was also arrested on charges of "being members of an armed terrorist organization and attempting to overthrow the government of the Republic of Turkey or to prevent it from performing its duty".
Nazlı Ilıcak was also arrested together with 16 journalists as part of an operation against Gülen Community on July 30, 2016.
While Mehmet Altan was released on June 27, 2018, Nazlı Ilıcak and Ahmet Altan have been behind bars since they were arrested. (EKN/SD)
CLICK - Three-Month Agenda of the Media: Trials, Prisons and Government-Backed Threats