Georgian NGOs Stage Protest in Support of Arrested Turkish College Manager


Date posted: June 8, 2017

Thea Morrison

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have gathered at the government administration in support of Mustafa Emre Cabuk, one of the managers of the Turkish Demirel College, who was sentenced to three-month pre-extradition detention over alleged links to terrorist organization. As part of their protests they wore handcuffs while pretending to study. They say this is to demonstrate that Cabuk is being unfairly investigated considering he was only engaged in educational activities in Georgia.

The spouse of Emre Cabuk and some students also joined the protesters.

The manager of Demireli College was arrested on May 24. Tbilisi City Court ruled on May 25 that Cabuk would stay in three-month pre-extradition detention. The decision was made the day after an official visit of the Turkish prime minister and cabinet members to Georgia.

Cabuk’s lawyer Soso Baratashvili says that his client is not guilty, and he is accused of having links to the organization FETO, registered in the United States and associated with Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of orchestrating a military coup attempt in Turkey on 15 July, 2016.

Baratashvili is sure that Cabuk was detained at the request of the Turkish government.

Cabuk denies all allegations and says that he has been only carrying out educational activities during his 15-year stay in Georgia.

 

Source: Georgia Today , June 7, 2017


Related News

Nazarbayev says Kazakh-Turk schools belong to Kazakhstan, no extradition of teachers

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said on Thursday that Kazakh-Turk high schools that are allegedly linked to the faith-based Gülen movement belong to Kazakhstan and that Turkish teachers working at those schools will not be extradited to Turkey unless they are proven guilty of a crime.

Gülen-linked journalists organization voices concern over profiling claims

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), one of the most prominent institutions affiliated with Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, released a statement expressing its concerns over the government’s claimed profiling of citizens, civic groups and public employees. “It is worrisome to witness developments that echo the said “National Security Board decision, such as the plan to ban prep schools, the profiling of public employees or the purging of bureaucrats who are affiliated with certain communities,” the statement published on the institution’s website said.

Hizmet keeps school and cultural center in São Paulo

Founded eight years ago, the Colégio Belo Futuro Internacional [Belo Futuro International School] teaches elementary to high school and has 163 students, of which only seven were born in Turkey.

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

The signatory states and their courts need to decide where their loyalty lies: With the authoritarian Erdogan government or with the human rights and judicial guarantees solemnly enshrined in their respective constitutions?

Defying Odds, Afghan Girl Gets Top Grades for University Entrance Exams

Defying all stereotypes and impediments, a young Afghan girl from the capital city of Kabul has topped the nationwide university entrance exams ‘Kankoor’ to make a strong statement about girl power in the war-ravaged country. Tehmeena is particularly thankful to the management of Afghan–Turk schools, a chain of private schools in the country, for her accomplishment.

Journalist: I was threatened over not supporting government

Seasoned journalist Cüneyt Özdemir has said he was threatened by two members of pro-government media outlets and pressured to jump on the bandwagon by lashing out at the Hizmet movement and hosting a commentator who Özdemir said is a staunch supporter of conspiracy theories.

Latest News

Sacramento leaders gather for Iftar dinner in celebration of Ramadan

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

In Case You Missed It

Analysis: Power of Turkey’s Fethullah Gulen

Austrian Far-Right Leader Likens Turkish Coup to Reichstag Fire

A notable award for Mongolian-Turkish schools

Twelve questions Turkey’s journalists can’t ask

Erdoğan’s Crackdown Takes A Toll On Exchange Students In Turkey

Turkish community in Springfield area to host Turkish bazaar, conference

594 Young Children Growing Up In Turkish Prisons

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News