The quantum computer installed in Ankara Ulm resident detained in Turkey Ferdi Soylu was released from remand in custody on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, according to his family. He is not allowed to leave Türkiye for the time being. His brother confirmed this to SWR. The Federal Foreign Office has continued to provide consular support, according to earlier statements.
The 46-year-old was arrested in mid-August 2026 when entering Turkey and taken to Sincan prison near Ankara. In late summer, SWR and Tagesschau reported on the arrest and the rejected appeal against his pre-trial detention. According to the family, they have so far had no access to official Turkish charging documents.
The authorities have not commented publicly on the allegations. Media reports referred to an investigation involving the terrorism statute. No court ruling on guilt or innocence has been issued. The decision to release him from pre-trial detention is now accompanied by a travel ban , which is frequently imposed in Turkey while investigations are under way.
The family in Ulm said they were relieved by the news, but that the situation remained uncertain. As long as a travel ban is in force, Soylu cannot visit Germany and is bound by official restrictions. What steps the Turkish judiciary plans to take next is unclear. Further investigations, potentially leading to charges, are possible; the case could also be dropped without a trial. The time taken by such proceedings varies considerably.
In comparable cases, the Federal Foreign Office points to the limits of consular assistance: German authorities cannot influence court decisions abroad, but they can help with support, legal representation and communication with the authorities. For those affected and their families, this assistance is often crucial in meeting deadlines and complying with restrictions.
The case is part of a wider debate about the rule of law in Turkey. Human rights organisations have for years documented shortcomings in fair trials and the length of pre-trial detention. At the same time, German authorities advise travellers with professional or family ties to sensitive areas to exercise particular caution. For Soylu and his family, the key questions now are what conditions apply, whether charges will be brought and whether the travel ban will be reviewed in the coming weeks.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).