Israel again extends detention of Turkish lecturer

Assistant Law Professor Cemil Tekeli’s detention has been extended for third time

By Turgut Alp Boyraz

JERUSALEM (AA) - An Israeli court on Tuesday extended the detention of Istanbul Medeniyet University's Assistant Law Professor Cemil Tekeli for six more days.

Israeli police arrested Tekeli on Jan. 15 at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport after he attended a program in Jerusalem that began on Jan 11.

During the trial, which was closed to the press, detention of Turkish academician was extended until Sunday.

Israeli authorities rejected Anadolu Agency correspondent’s demand to follow the trial, saying it was going to be held “behind closed doors”.

Previously speaking to Anadolu Agency, Tekeli’s wife Meryem Tekeli said: "My husband was unlawfully arrested, we are in shock. We only went to Jerusalem for travel reasons. My husband is innocent… Israeli authorities are not giving us any information."

Earlier, his detention had been extended for another eight days, till Feb. 4.

Turkey's Tel Aviv Embassy is also closely following developments of the case.

Kaynak: