Turkey frees up 38k jail spots for coup plotters

Turkey has issued a decree paving the way for the conditional release of 38,000 prisoners, the justice minister said — an apparent move to reduce its jail population to make space for thousands of people who have been arrested as part of an investigation into last month’s failed coup.

The decree allows the release of inmates who have two years or less to serve of their sentences and makes convicts who have served half of their prison term eligible for parole.

However, people convicted of murder, domestic violence, sexual abuse or terrorism and other crimes against the state will be excluded.