Turkish hunger strike protesters facing jail

Two Turks are facing prison after being arrested for launching a hunger strike in protest at being sacked in a purge that followed last year’s failed coup. Nuriye Gulmen, a university lecturer, and Semih Ozakca, a teacher, have not eaten in 77 days and their protest has become a rallying point for opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A court has ordered that they be held in custody until they can face charges of “membership of a terror organisation”, charges both deny.