Turkish hunger for free

istanbul - A Turkish teacher who has been in hunger strike for months has been allowed to wait for the rest of his trial. Primary school teacher Semih Özakca (28) has been released according to lawyers. He must provisionally carry an ankle from the court in Ankara.

Another hunger strike, university student Nuriye Gülmen, is still stuck. Both teachers went hungry strike earlier this year. They thus protested against their resignation following the failed coup last July. The teachers were later charged with membership of a terrorist organization.

The teachers belong to the more than 150,000 Turks in public service who were fired or suspended under the emergency order under the emergency order. The Turkish authorities accuse Muslim-led Fethullah Gülen of being the brain behind the failed coup. Gülen denies that.