Turkish court releases British 'drug-smuggling' couple
A Turkish court today released a British couple who were imprisoned for attempting to smuggle heroin out of the country after they helped police catch the Turkish man they said forced them to traffic the drug, a lawyer said.
Ian and Jane Johnson, who had already served 14 months, insisted throughout their defence that they were forced to try to smuggle about 11 pounds of heroin out of Turkey by a man who threatened to kill their child.
The court released the pair from prison, saying they had already served enough time in jail, lawyer Murat Eken said.
The trial was adjourned until September 27, when a verdict is expected.
The Johnsons, from Nottinghamshire, gave police information that led to the arrest of Kazim Cacan, a suspected drug smuggler whom the two say threatened to kill their child, Eken said.
Prosecutors demanded lenient punishment for the couple because they co-operated with police.
Cacan, who is also on trial with the couple, could face nine years in prison for drug trafficking if convicted, Eken said.
The couple were stopped at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport in April 2004 as they tried to board a plane bound for Britain. Jane Johnson, 36, was detained with heroin in plastic bags strapped to her body.
Her 38-year-old husband was also detained.
The couple, who have set up a home in the Aegean resort of Kusadasi, were free to leave Turkey, Eken said.
Authorities could also deport the two from Turkey if they are convicted, Eken said.
