Father of three released only after wife died following heart attack


Date posted: December 2, 2017

Engin Öztürk, a father of three who spent 15 months behind bars over his alleged ties to the Gulen movement, has been released only after his wife, Vina Öztürk passed away following a heart attack.

Engin was the sole breadwinner of the Öztürk family until he was jailed in an Antalya prison 15 months ago. A day after Engin was denied request to be released pending trial, Vina suffered a heart attack that left her in intensive care for days.

A former employee of the International Antalya University, which was closed by the government over Gulen ties, Engin says that the court rejected to release him on Nov 16, that Vina (Rana) had a heart attack on the 17th and that he was released on Nov 20 evening only to learn that his wife died at the hospital.

“I have never imagined that my first post after being released would be so hard. everyone who knows me would strongly reject the idea that I could be related with any kind of terrorism. I have tried to influence my students (a.k.a. my children), my friends and my relatives for love, tolerance, mutual understanding and peace throughout my entire life. However, I have been in prison for the last 15.5 months, accused of being a terrorist, before just being released the monday before. the reason that I was released was the sudden disease of my late and beloved wife Vina Ozturk as most of you are aware of. I was put on trial on Nov 16th, Thursday and I was really expecting to be released because of my innocence. However, the court has decided the other way. Friday 17th, she had a sudden health problem and has been rushed to hospital, receiving CPR for 90 full minutes. Although after 45 minutes of CPR, an individual is pronounced dead, the doctors and the medical team has done their best to keep her alive. I have learned all these when I was released Monday 21st in the evening time. She was unconscious and could not see me or talk to me for a last time. Her cerebral death was announced on Tuesday 22nd, and we have decided to donate her organs, thanks to the bravest female alive, Ebru Nisa, my daughter. She has been buried Thursday 23rd in my hometown, Denizli, next to my grandfather and grandmother. I WOULD HEARTFULLY LIKE TO THANK ANYBODY WHO HAS HEARD WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN LAST TWO WEEKS AND TRIED TO HELP, WISH CONDOLENCES, OR TRIED TO BE WITH OUR SIDE IN THE MOST DIFFICULT TIMES IN ANY WAY THEY COULD. MAY ALLAH NOT TRY YOU WITH THESE EXPERIENCES. The life had to start over, and we did so. The kids have started to school, and we will be in Antalya until the uncertainties get resolved. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US,” Engin wrote on his Facebook account.

Turkish government accuses Gulen movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016 coup attempt and calls it a terrorist group while the latter denies the accusations. Some 130,000 people were detained and 60,000 of them were arrested and put in pretrial detention since the summer of 2016. Meanwhile, at least 3,008 schools, dormitories and universities were shut down over Gulen links.

 

Source: Turkey Purge , December 2, 2017


Related News

Terrorist PKK targets Gulen movement’s schools in Hakkari

Schools opened by the Gülen movement, inspired by internationally respected Turkish scholar Fethullah Gülen, in the eastern province of Hakkari are often threatened by the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), according to an interview by the T24 news portal. The first private school the Gülen movement in Hakkari was opened in 2007. There are currently 300 students at the school, Hatice Avcı College.

Teacher gets arrested, wife suffers miscarriage amid gov’t crackdown on Gülen movement

A letter sent Turkey Purge has received from the elder brother –known by the initials A.D.– of an arrested school teacher reveals that those detained within past few years as part of the witch-hunt have been subjected to many kinds of ill-treatment under custody.

American academic: Hizmet Movement serves for entire humanity

Speaking at a cenference in the southern province of Antalya, Soltes shared his observations about the Hizmet Movement. “I saw this on every people I met: I see that everybody, who is inspired by Gülen’s thoughts, help people with no thought of personal gain,” said Soltes adding that Hizmet Movement serves for entire humanity in the world.

Brazil court orders release of Gulen-linked businessman accused by Ankara of terrorism

Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court ordered Tuesday the release of a Brazil-based Turkish businessman who was arrested over links to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.

Prof. Scott Alexander: Hizmet is a social movement for peace

“What I have personally observed is that Hizmet is a movement that embraces contrasts and in which everyone can find a place for themselves. It’s a globally transformational movement. It is, on the other hand, able to combine tradition and modernity and bring them around the common values. Although I might not be necessarily exercising your values, I consider myself a part of this movement. The principles that lead the movement are what lead my life as well.” Alexander remarked.

Swiss investigate spying on Turkish community

The Swiss foreign minister told his Turkish counterpart on Thursday that Switzerland would “rigorously investigate” any illegal spying by Ankara on expatriate Turks before an April 16 referendum that could expand Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s powers.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

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

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Fethullah Gulen: Bridge Between Islam And The West

Turkish engagement with Southern Africa depends on the Turkish attitude towards Hizmet

Ayan: Halkbank operated like Iran’s Central Bank

First female chairwoman appointed at Kimse Yok Mu

‘Pool media’ court case against Zaman daily tossed out

Hizmet movement and the Kurdish question

Turkey’s business world weary of gov’t pressure, says Kalkavan

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News