Austrian writer acquitted of terror charges in Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey – An Austrian student and journalist says a Turkish court has acquitted him and two others of terror-related charges.

Max Zirngast was taken into custody in September 2018 after Turkey accused him and two other people of “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” They were accused of links to the Turkish Communist Party/Kivilcim. If convicted, Zirngast could have faced a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

The 29-year-old confirmed his acquittal to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Zirngast, who has contributed to left-wing publications and was studying political science, was released from pre-trial detention in December.

Ties between Turkey and the European Union have been strained over the arrests of foreign journalists and others in Turkey.

Austria’s government had demanded Zirngast’s release.

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