Turkish court convicts doctor of terrorism propaganda, releases her from jail-rights groups

Supporters of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) head Sebnem Korur Fincanci, who is accused of "spreading terrorist group propaganda" and insulting Turkish institutions for her comments on the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Turkish armed forces, demonstrate in front of the Justice Palace, the Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Turkey January 11, 2023. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A Turkish court sentenced the head of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) to more than two years in prison for terrorism propaganda on Wednesday but ruled she should be released after being in detention since October, human rights activists said.

Sebnem Korur Fincanci, a prominent rights defender, was arrested on charges of spreading terrorist group propaganda in October after she said in an interview that claims that Turkey's military used chemical weapons against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq should be investigated.