Turkey releases youth activist in case drawing European criticism

A Turkish court on Monday ordered the release of youth activist Enes Hocaogullari pending trial on charges including "inciting hatred", in a case that has drawn sharp criticism from European institutions and rights groups.

Hocaogullari, 23, has been in custody since his arrest on August 5 after returning from Strasbourg where he represented Turkey as a youth delegate at the Council of Europe. In a speech there in March he had condemned the dismissal of opposition mayors and police violence in Turkey.

Prosecutors accuse him of "spreading false information to mislead the public" and "inciting hatred and enmity", charges that could carry several years in prison.

Hocaogullari appeared in court in handcuffs and wearing a black suit, escorted by two gendarmes. Diplomats from Western and European embassies, civil society groups and opposition Members of Parliament watched from the packed courtroom's gallery.

"I exercised my right to freedom of expression. I am innocent. In this hearing I request my release and, at the end of the trial, my acquittal," he told the court, saying his March speech had been in a closed session and had been distorted.

A delegation from the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities visited Ankara last week and met Hocaogullari in prison. In a statement, it said there was no justification for his prosecution or detention and warned that silencing him would also silence young people and democracy.

Amnesty International and other rights groups have also called his arrest arbitrary and urged his immediate release.

The court ruled that Hocaogullari be freed, subject to judicial control measures, while the trial continues. The next hearing is set for February 23.

The case has underscored tensions between Ankara and European institutions at a time when Turkey is seeking to improve relations with its Western allies.