and visual "evidence" to support such a claim. Mehmet did not want to be classified as "ill" and instead sought to be classified as a conscientious objector. Trial Tarhan was arrested in April 2005 and tried the next month on charges of insubordination under Article 88 of the Turkish Military Penal Code. Mehmet was convicted, at which point the military prosecutor released Tarhan, stating that Tarhan had already spent the same amount of time in prison as he would be required to serve if sentenced. However, upon release Tarhan was again told to serve in the military. When he refused, he was again arrested and placed on trial. This time he was sentenced to four years in prison. Tarhan began serving his prison sentence in late 2005. He was unexpectedly released in March 2006. This release is believed to be political in nature due to international pressure becoming bad publicity, as he has not been acquitted and still considered to be "at large"; he can be recaptured and re-imprisoned at the whim of the authorities. According to Tarhan's sister, Emine Tarhan, Tarhan had been tortured in prison and his life threatened by other inmates. World reaction Protests in support of Tarhan have been held around the world. and his imprisonment has attracted the attention of organizations like Amnesty International. Turkish author and poet Perihan Magden was prosecuted and acquitted in Turkey for writing a column in support of Tarhan and his call for conscientious objection. References Further reading about conscientious objection in Turkey United Nations HCR report on military service in Turkey WRI summary on conscientious objection in Turkey Documentation: Conscientious objection in Turkey Turkish dissidents Turkish prisoners and detainees Turkish human rights activists Turkish people of Kurdish descent Turkish gay men Turkish LGBT rights activists Turkish conscientious objectors Prisoners and detainees of Turkey Living people 1978 births Kurdish human rights activists Kurdish LGBT people