Former appeals judge sentenced to 12 years in jail in post-coup trial
by TurkeyPurge | May 31, 2019 | Today in Crackdown
A former top judge who was jailed as part of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's post-coup crackdown has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Former Supreme Court of Appeals member Turgut Emiroğlu was convicted of membership to the Gulen movement, a broadened terror charge the Turkish government often uses to imprison its critics.
Emiroğlu was first given 9 years in jail, Anadolu news agency reported, the court in charge increased his sentence to over 13.5 years using discretionary power in compliance with the anti-terror law, and then reduced it to 12 years due to Emiroğlu's good conduct during hearings.
Meanwhile, another former Supreme Court of Appeals member, Zihni Dogan received 8 years and 9 months in prison the same day, Anadolu news agency reported.
Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016 failed coup while the latter denies involvement.