The international medical community calls for release and acquittal of Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı
Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, President of the Turkish Medical Association, is a globally renowned forensic physician, who has been a long-time partner to leading medical and human rights organisations, acting with integrity and commitment to the ethical values of the medical profession.
Prof Fincancı has been in pre-trial detention since 26 October, when she when was imprisoned on charges of ‘propaganda for a terrorist organisation’ following an interview in which she called for an independent investigation into allegations of the use of chemical weapons. Her detention was prolonged following hearings in Istanbul on 23 and 29 December.
A further hearing will take place on 11 January 2023, during which Prof Fincancı could be convicted for up to 7.5 years.
European Doctors call for the immediate release of Prof. Şebnem and for all charges against her to be dropped.
“European doctors are deeply concerned by the ongoing detention of Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı and we continue to call for her unconditional release. Her imprisonment is a violation of her freedom of speech, and we appeal to Turkish authorities to drop these arbitrary charges immediately.
“It is vital that the autonomy and independence of the medical profession is safeguarded, and we fully support her human right and professional duty to highlight allegations of breaches of international law.”
On 23 and 29 December, European doctors condemned the continued and arbitrary detention of Prof Fincancı following court hearing in Istanbul.
On 20 December, CPME, together with the World Medical Association and four European Medical Organisations, wrote to Turkish authorities urging the immediate release of Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı on behalf of millions of physicians across the world.
Updates on her case and support for her release is posted using the #FreeSebnem hashtag.