Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ISTANBUL (AP) — A Turkish fashion designer and government critic has been released from jail pending trial on charges of inciting hatred through social media postings.
Barbaros Sansal was released late on Wednesday. The state-run Anadolu Agency says he is barred from leaving Turkey.
The designer posted a video tweet on New Year's Eve criticizing celebrations "while there is so much filth, vileness and poverty" that many considered to be vulgar and offensive.
He was expelled from Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus on Jan. 2 where he was vacationing and was attacked by unknown assailants on the tarmac on his arrival at Istanbul's main airport, before being detained.
Sansal faces up to three years in prison if convicted of the charges. His trial begins in Istanbul on March 16.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
