A Turkish court ordered the re-arrest of a prominent television talent manager just a day after she was freed pending trial over sweeping anti-government protests, sparking opposition criticism on Friday.
Ayse Barim, 55, was detained in January for “attempting to aid in the overthrow of the government” during gigantic protests in 2013 over a plan to redevelop an iconic Istanbul park.
It sparked a wave of demonstrations against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was prime minister at the time.
Prosecutors accused her of “pushing” her actors to take part in the rallies, a claim she denies. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in prison.
An Istanbul court on Wednesday ordered her release under judicial supervision as Barim told the judge she suffered from serious health issues, having remained in prison for 248 days.
However, following objections from prosecutors, a higher criminal court reversed the decision late Thursday, ordering her re-arrest, local media said.
The move drew trenchant criticism from the main opposition party.
“Releasing Ayse Barim, who is in critical condition due to a brain aneurysm, and then rearresting her just one day later is an attempted murder committed with the hand of the law,” Burhanettin Bulut, deputy chairman of the CHP party, said on X.
“This mindset, which disregards human life and ignores the most fundamental principles of the rule of law, is nothing other than ‘enemy law’”, he said.
Local media reported that Barim would remain in the hospital under police supervision, though it was unclear how long she would be allowed to stay.
The next hearing in her case is scheduled for February 11.
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