Turkey's main opposition urges jailed deputy's release

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) wants its jailed deputy Enis Berberoglu to be released soon, a party lawmaker said Wednesday.

In June, Berberoglu was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of leaking state secrets.

On Monday, an appeals court in Istanbul ordered his retrial but said he should remain in prison pending the new hearing.

The case has been forwarded to Istanbul’s 14th Heavy Penal Court for review.

Speaking to journalists at the parliament, CHP deputy Omer Suha Aldan said his party welcomes the decision to hold a fresh trail.

Aldan, who is a deputy of Mugla province, said the party now expects continuation of the decision, "which is the release of Mr. Enis Berberoglu as soon as possible".

Speaking at a news conference in the parliament, CHP's Izmir province deputy Mustafa Balbay also called for Berberoglu’s release.

"The constitutional court has previously said crime has nothing to do with espionage," Balbay said.

He said the penal court should abide by the decision of constitutional court and the appeals court.

Meanwhile, Berberoglu’s lawyer on Wednesday objected against his client’s continued imprisonment at Istanbul's regional Courts of Justice.