Release of Istanbul mayor's son-in-law stirs debate

Politicians and social media users have lambasted an Istanbul court after it ordered the release of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Kadir Topbaş's son-in-law Ömer Faruk Kavurmacı, who was previously detained in a probe into the Gülenist movement due to health problems.

Kavurmacı was released on health grounds on May 4 pending trial despite an official report that 841 chronically sick inmates are still awaiting release from prisons. 

Topbaş's son-in-law was arrested as part of an operation against the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON), which was affiliated with the Gülenist movement before being released by the Istanbul 5th Criminal Court of Peace on the grounds that prison conditions were having a negative effect on the suspect, who was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2005. 

In its ruling, the court stated that the continuation of Kavurmacı's imprisonment could cause his health to deteriorate.
 
Kavurmacı's release prompted outrage from Turkey's opposition parties. "I am asking why [Kavurmacı] was released, and why those in the same position have not been released. That's why I am asking," main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said during a party group meeting in Ankara on May 9.

"Currently there are 841 waiting to die in prison due to their serious and continuous health situations. Why are these people not being released?" the chairman said, referring to statistics released by the Justice Ministry on May 8, upon the demand of CHP lawmaker Gamze Akkuş İlgezdi.

"The number of inmates who have not been released although they have been sick for the last five years amounts to 451. Upon what kind of morality have you not released these? Is this what you call...