Justice Ministry authorities in the western Turkish city of İzmir have refused to allow jailed law student Emine Altın to take exams at her university, citing alleged security concerns, the Bold Medya news website reported.
While Turkish law allows inmates to pursue their constitutionally protected right to education and sit for exams in the company of officials, Altın was denied the opportunity to exercise this right.
In January, the Justice Ministry responded to an inquiry via Turkey’s Presidential Communications Center (CİMER) pointing out that Altın was jailed on terrorism-related charges and that her release for educational purposes could pose a security risk.
Altın is behind bars for alleged links to the faith-based Gülen movement, which the Turkish government accuses of orchestrating a failed coup in July 2016. The movement denies any involvement in the abortive putsch.
“In the event that a release from prison is deemed risky for public safety, the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office may impose limitations on the right to leave the prison,” said a statement issued by CİMER.
Altın has a degree in teaching mathematics. She was first arrested in February 2018 when she was pregnant and lost her baby while behind bars.
Her husband, Armağan Altın, is held in the same İzmir prison although the newlywed couple has only been allowed to see each other twice in the last two years.