In surprise move, Turkey acquits nine on charges stemming from 2013 Gezi protests

Uncertainty over whether judiciary is defying the president, or the president is changing direction, writes Borzou Daragahi

Mucella Yapici ( C ) of the Taksim Solidarity Platform celebrates outside Silivri Prison near Istanbul (AFP)

A Turkish court on Tuesday dismissed national security charges against nine of the 16 high-profile liberal and leftist activists involved in major 2013 protests against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, ignoring the recommendation of prosecutors to hand life sentences without parole to some of the defendants.

Among those acquitted and allowed to walk out of prison was Osman Kavala, a philanthropist and liberal activist held in prison for more than two years on accusations of plotting to overthrow the government, the official Anadolu news agency reported.

Liberals and leftists celebrated the decision, which comes among a string of victories for their political wing that includes the election of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu last year against the candidate of the ruling Justice and Development Party.