Press Releases: Statement on Move To Indict Turkish Civil Society Leaders


Press Statement

Robert Palladino

Deputy Spokesperson

Washington, DC
February 23, 2019

The United States is gravely concerned by reports that prosecutors in Turkey moved to indict 16 civil society, media, and business leaders. Exercising the right to freedom of expression should not result in an aggravated life sentence. The ability to exercise the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association is fundamental to any healthy democracy. We urge Turkey to respect these freedoms and to release all those held arbitrarily.



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