Arrested Bosnian student calls parents from payphone

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Selmir Masetovic, a Bosnian student arrested in Turkey was released from custody Tuesday around 8 pm, said Husein Masetovic, Selmir’s father.

By the order of Usak city Court, Selmir Masetovic was arrested in the Turkish town of Usak on May 22 on suspicion of being a member of FETO, which Turkey declared an armed terrorist organisation responsible for the 2015 coup attempt in the country.

After being released to defend himself from liberty, the Court prohibited him from leaving Turkey until the investigation was over. Upon leaving custody, he called his father from a payphone.

“He called me from a payphone last night and said he left custody. He spent the night at his friend’s house. I’m expecting him to call again to give me some more information,” the father said. “Bosnian Consulate promised me they would help Selmir find accommodation. I have no other information. We are yet to talk to the lawyer and see what’s next.”

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s General Consul to Turkey Began Muhic said the numerous material evidence and charges against Selmir Masetovic are quite serious.

“Selmir has been released last night (Tuesday night) and we are looking for appropriate accommodation for him. We will do this in cooperation with his family and make the address known to the Turkish authorities,” Muhic said.

Bosnian authorities provided guarantees to the Turkish authorities thus creating preconditions for Selmir's release from custody, with periodic reports to the Turkish authorities.

FETO organisation, which is also known as The Gulen movement is an Islamic social movement that professes advocation of universal access to education, civil society, and peace, inspired by the religious teachings of Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher who has lived in the United States since 1999.

In reaction to the July 15 coup attempt, led by a military faction operating outside the chain of command, the Turkish government quickly alleged the coup's leader to be Gulen.