Members of the Tahşiye group, which had been deemed as "a group comprising of militants of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda" have been acquitted and released by the 2nd High Criminal Court.

Sixteen suspects accused of being members of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda were put on trial in the 2nd High Criminal Court. The suspects, who were on trial without arrest, didn't attend the hearing but their lawyers were present.

Sıdkı Zilan, the lawyer of a suspect, stated that the indictment was prepared in accordance with Fethullah Gülen's guideline and continued "our clients have never been involved in illegal action. They are traditional religious tutors. Consequently, it's very normal and usual for them to give lessons or talks. There is no such organization that is involved in terrorism. Classic religious education should not be associated with terrorism."

During the hearing, the prosecutor declared that the group known as the "Tahşiye group" is in the service of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda, and asked for them to be punished. However, the judge decided for the acquittance of the suspects.

The Tahşiye group is known to be a branch of the Nur Movement. The group and its leader, Mehmet Doğan, a former imam, are known for their opposition to the Gülen Movement and have a firmer stance against interfaith dialogue than other movements.

After the trial, the court acquitted the suspects Yusuf Çınar, Kahraman Bozoğalan, Fevzi Aydın, Yalçın Ulaş, Hüseyin Korkmaz, Reşit Büyükfırat, Hüseyin Büyükfırat, Mehmet Selim Çelik, İsmail Alp, Abdulvahap Karaaslan, Muhyettin Okçu, Salih Çağdar, Mustafa Şah Ekinci, Mehmet Çelik, Yasin Yıldız and İzzettin Tanrıverdi of the crime of "being a member of an outlawed terrorist organization".