Six individuals convicted in connection with the 2016 terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport were released from prison after the Court of Appeals overturned their life sentences. The attack, which occurred on June 28, 2016, saw three ISIS militants open fire with rifles before detonating explosives inside the terminal, resulting in the deaths of 45 people and injuring 163 others.
The case initially concluded in 2018, when the Istanbul 13th Heavy Criminal Court sentenced seven accused individuals to 46 aggravated life sentences for their roles in the attack. The sentences included charges of “violating the constitution” and “premeditated murder” for the deaths of 45 people, alongside additional sentences totaling 2,604 years for crimes such as attempted murder and property damage. However, following an appeal, the Court of Appeals, specifically the Third Criminal Chamber, reviewed the case and issued a ruling on December 12, 2024, which found the original sentences to be excessively harsh.
The Court of Appeals ruled that there was insufficient evidence to directly link the convicted individuals to the attack itself and that their involvement only warranted charges of “membership in a terrorist organization.” The ruling emphasized that the charges of direct participation in the attack should not have been applied. As a result, the six individuals, who had been detained for over eight years, were released from custody, while one individual’s detention was extended.
The Turkish Presidency’s Disinformation Combat Center clarified that the six released individuals were not involved in carrying out the attack, as the attackers themselves had died during the assault. Instead, the accused were charged with crimes related to their membership in ISIS, financing the organization, and other terrorist-related activities. The Center further explained that their release occurred because the time spent in detention exceeded the statutory limit for the charges.
The decision has sparked a wave of criticism, particularly from opposition parties. Murat Emir, the deputy leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), condemned the ruling as a “legal scandal,” asserting that it was a miscarriage of justice for the individuals involved in such a heinous attack to be released.
The case is now set to return to the Istanbul 13th Heavy Criminal Court for further proceedings, where the six individuals will face trial exclusively for “terrorist organization membership” charges. If the court accepts the ruling from the Court of Appeals, the remaining suspects will face charges related solely to their affiliation with ISIS, not their direct involvement in the attack.
