US judge grants bail to Turkish scientist detained in New York

NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) – A US judge has granted bail to Turkish physicist Furkan Dolek on a $50,000 bond, paving the way for his release from a federal detention facility in Buffalo, New York. Dolek had been in custody following his dismissal from a US government laboratory and the revocation of his research visa.

The Turkish-American National Steering Committee, which provided legal assistance, welcomed the decision as “an important and positive step for justice and public confidence.”

Dolek, who previously worked at the US Department of Energy’s Fermilab in Illinois, gained attention in early 2024 after publicly warning about potential radioactive hazards at the research facility.

Shortly after his disclosures, he was terminated in April 2024 and his visa was revoked. Having lost his legal status, Dolek remained in the US for several months before being detained.

In a written statement, Dolek described his release as “a ray of hope for justice, solidarity, and the honor of science,” while noting that his legal challenges are ongoing.

His family launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise the bail amount, and members of the Turkish diaspora in the US have rallied around his case, which has drawn widespread attention in academic and diplomatic circles.

The Turkish Consulate General in New York confirmed that Dolek had been detained after going missing in late August. The case has renewed debate over the treatment of foreign researchers working in sensitive scientific fields and the need to protect scientific whistleblowers.