Consulate General of the Russian Federation: the court in Turkey allowed the Russians suspected of setting fire to the forest to leave in Turkey, leave the country. This information was confirmed by the Russian Consulate General, RIA Novosti reports.
Ivan Melnikov, vice-president of the Russian branch of the International Committee for the Protection of Human Rights, told RBC that the Russians were allowed to return home thanks to the joint work of the Russian Foreign Ministry, human rights defenders and lawyers. However, according to him, the charges have not been dropped from them yet.
At the same time, the human rights activist noted that the next meeting on Turkish territory can be expected within several months. It is currently scheduled for May. “The accusations are unconvincing, our guys do not look like dangerous criminals, there is practically no evidence against them,” he said.
The detention of Russian tourists in Turkey became known on October 25. According to citizens, they stumbled upon a wildfire in the area of the Lycian Trail and decided to extinguish it. Subsequently, they called the rescue service, after which they were arrested. It was later reported that the detainees could be sentenced to prison terms of up to seven years.