The detention of Turkish academic Nükhet Sirman has been extended, her lawyer Fatoş Hacıvelioğlu confirmed on Monday, with a secrecy order imposed on the case.
Sirman, an anthropologist, was taken into custody from her home in Burgazada on 23 March, due to her interactions during field research with someone under surveillance. The decision to extend her detention by a day and impose a secrecy order on her case raised concern among supporters and colleagues.
Sirman was subsequently transferred to the Mersin Gendarmerie Command. Despite the circumstances, feminist activist Feride Eralp, who managed to visit Sirman, reported that she remains in good spirits. “We had the chance to see her yesterday. Her morale is good, and her lawyers are closely monitoring the case through the prosecutor’s office. She is expected to be brought to court tomorrow [Monday],” Eralp shared with Bianet on Sunday.
The imposition of a secrecy order on Sirman’s case has sparked debate over implications for academic freedom and the transparency of legal proceedings. The academic community and rights activists await further developments as Sirman’s legal team prepares for her upcoming court appearance.
