Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) filed a Freedom of Information (FOIA) lawsuit for records of Öztürk’s arrest. But FPF was told by the government “that it wouldn’t release any information because doing so would be an invasion of privacy.”

Whose privacy are they concerned about?

More from FPF:

Öztürk targeted for op-ed

In March, Öztürk co-authored an op-ed that was critical of the Israeli government.

Shortly thereafter, she was identified by the pro-Israel group Canary Mission as having engaged in “anti-Israel activism.” (Even though the group’s smear campaigns shouldn’t carry any legal weight, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have testified that they regularly rely on Canary Mission’s website to compile reports.)

Despite supposed protections for free speech and the absence of any crime, Öztürk was soon arrested by immigration agents on the grounds that she supported terrorist organizations and engaged in antisemitic activities.

But in terms of releasing the records, FPF writes: “this is obviously a self-serving attempt to hide evidence that the government retaliated against Öztürk for exercising her constitutionally protected right to free speech.”

~

Öztürk was released from federal custody on Friday, May 9, hours after a judge in Vermont ordered the Trump administration to free her.

Rümeysa Öztürk (center) after being released from ICE custody Friday evening. Accompanied by Nora Ahmed, legal director of the ACLU of Louisiana (left) and Öztürk’s attorney, Mahsa Khanbabai (right). (courtesy of Öztürk’s legal team)