Detained physician released on probation

Click to read the article in Turkish

Held in detention for a day, Dr. Tahsin Çınar, who is also a delegate of the İstanbul Medical Chamber (İTO) Grand Congress, was referred to the courthouse in the early morning hours today (October 12).

Speaking to bianet about the issue, his attorney Özgür Urfa, who was in the İstanbul Courthouse to follow the proceedings, indicated that based on Dr. Çınar's statement at the security directorate, he had been referred to the penal judgeship of peace with a request for his release on probation.

The Penal Judgeship of Peace has ruled that Çınar shall be released on probation on charge of "inciting the public to grudge and hatred" as per the Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).

Dr. Çoban was facing possible charges of "inciting the public to grudge and hatred" and "insulting the President" with posts on a social media account.

In his statement, Tahsin Çınar said that the related Twitter account did not belong to him and, therefore, the related social media posts were not shared by him. Çınar did not accept the allegations.

The İstanbul Medical Chamber has also released a brief statement about Dr. Çınar, saying, "İstanbul Medical Chamber Grand Congress delegate Dr. Tahsin Çınar has been detained upon an unfounded tip-off from an anonymous social media account on the grounds of the posts that do not belong to him. Tahsin Çınar is not alone." (AS/SD)