Eyeing on coup plotters, Turkey starts to release 38000 prisoners

ANKARA: Turkey begin to release around 38,000 prisoners on Wednesday . The Justice Minister said the move of reducing prisoners is to make space for thousands of people who have been arrested as part of an investigation into last month’s failed coup.

According to the report published in The Times of India the Turkey releases inmates who have served two years or less their prison terms and convicts who have served half of their prison term eligible for parole. Some prisoners are excluded who have convicted of murder, domestic violence, sexual abuse or terrorism and other crimes against the state committed after July 1.

Turkish Government declared a state of emergency and launched a massive crackdown on Gulen’s supporters in the aftermath of the coup. Some 35,000 people have been detained for questioning and more than 17,000 of them have been formally arrested to face trial, including soldiers, police, judges and journalists. Government crackdown has raised concerns among European nations and Human Rights organizations, who have urged the Turkish government to show restraint.