ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – On the same day that US pastor Andrew Brunson walked free, another Turkish court refused to release a local employee of a US consulate who is facing terror-related charges. Hamza Ulucay was first detained in early 2017 and charged with ties to the PKK and the Gulen Movement (FETO), which Ankara blames for orchestrating the failed July 2016 coup. He accused prosecutors of “fabricating evidence that I have made constant phone calls with members of the PKK and FETO,” he told a court in Mardin on Friday. Ulucay worked as a translator at the US consulate in Adana for nearly 36 years. Prosecutors are demanding up to 15 years of prison. Participating in his trial by video link, Ulucay said “I am innocent and request my freedom." His trial continues. The US and Turkey suspended non-immigrant visa services for each other’s nationals for nearly three months in late 2017 as Washington objected to several arrests of Turkish staff at American diplomatic missions. Lifting the visa ban in December, the US said it continues to have “serious concerns” about allegations against its local employees. While Ulucay remains in prison, US pastor Andrew Brunson was released by a court in Izmir on Friday. He was convicted of providing assistance to terror groups, but was given a sentence that allowed him to walk free based on time served and good behaviour. The US leadership was actively involved in the pastor’s case.
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