License holder of coup-linked app faces 15-year jail term in Turkey

An American citizen of Turkish origin reportedly turned himself in to Turkish authorities and faces a 15-year jail sentence for his role in founding the ByLock phone app, which state officials claim was used by supporters of a failed coup in 2016.
People gather at the July 15 Martyrs Bridge to commemorate the July 15, 2016, coup anniversary in Istanbul, on July 15, 2018.
People gather at the July 15 Martyrs Bridge to commemorate the July 15, 2016, coup anniversary in Istanbul, on July 15, 2018. The bloody coup attempt was followed by a series of purges in the public sector and changes to boost President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers. - BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images
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Diego Cupolo
@diegocupolo

ISTANBUL — According to state media reports, an American citizen of Turkish origin faces 15 years in prison after he surrendered to Turkish authorities last month over his role in founding a messaging app state officials say was used by supporters of a failed coup in 2016.

David Keynes, the alleged license holder for the ByLock app, reportedly turned himself in to Turkish authorities after arriving at Istanbul’s main airport on June 9, though news of his legal proceedings was initially made public Wednesday.

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