ISTANBUL (AP) A Turkish court has acquitted Fenerbahce's chairman of charges of match-fixing and organized crime in a re-trial.
Aziz Yildirim was convicted in July 2012 and sentenced to six years and three months in prison for fixing games, trying to influence the outcome of matches and leading a criminal gang. Yildirim, who denied any wrongdoing, spent a year behind bars before being released pending the outcome of the trial and appeal process.
Turkey later abolished the special court that tried Yildirim and other suspects in the case, paving the way for a re-trial.
On Friday, the Istanbul court overseeing the re-trial acquitted Yildirim and 35 other defendants.
Hundreds of Fenerbahce fans celebrated the decision outside the courthouse.
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(This version corrects the number of defendants acquitted along with Yildirim to 35)
