Turkish court hands US consulate worker 5-year prison sentence
Turkish citizen Nazmi Mete Canturk was convicted of "aiding an armed terror group."
An employee at the US Consulate in Istanbul was sentenced to prison in the Turkish capital on Tuesday for "aiding an armed terror group" that Ankara blames for the failed 2016 coup.
Prosecutors said Nazmi Mete Canturk, a Turkish citizen, made contact with civilians and former police chiefs who allegedly took part in the conspiracy to topple the government. The indictment also said Canturk wired money to groups linked to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen’s movement, which Turkey considers a terrorist organization.
Canturk denied the charges against him in court Tuesday and, according to Reuters, said his role as a security officer at the consulate required he coordinate with local officials.
Canturk was sentenced to five years, two months and 15 days in prison, but a diplomatic source told AFP that he will remain free pending an appeal. Canturk’s daughter and wife were also tried but were acquitted on Tuesday of membership in a terrorist organization.
