Hüseyin Avni Mutlu, a former governor of Turkey’s largest city of İstanbul, on Thursday was released from prison after serving 36 days on charges of aiding the faith-based Gülen movement, which is labeled a terrorist organization by the regime in Turkey.
Mutlu’s previous conviction of more than three years was upheld by the Supreme Court of Appeals on Oct. 3 for “willingly helping and aiding a terrorist organization without being a member of it,” in reference to the Gülen movement.
Following the verdict, Mutlu surrendered himself and was sent to a high security prison in Edirne. He was released after only 36 days due to time already served in pre-trial detention.
In Turkey, tens of thousands of people from all walks of life are jailed as part of the persecution of real and perceived followers of the Gülen movement. The regime considers the movement’s leader, Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, to have been the main plotter of failed coup on July 15, 2016, an allegation he strongly denies.