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Undated handout photograph released on October 15, 2021 by the Anadolu Culture Center shows Parisian-born Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala speaking during an event in Istanbul. Photo: AFP/Anadolu Culture Center
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Amnesty International on Sunday called for the acquittal and immediate release of Turkey’s leading activist, who has been held in prison without conviction for almost five years now, ahead of his fifth trial.
“This weekend, Osman Kavala marked his 1,600th day in jail. Despite committing no internationally recognized crime, he remains arbitrarily detained on baseless charges in a facility far away from his family,” Amnesty’s Europe Director Nils Muiznieks said.
The top Turkish activist, Osman Kavala, was arrested in November 2017 on charges of overthrowing the constitutional order of Turkey and espionage. He was accused of financing a 2013 protest in Istanbul and was acquitted, but was re-arrested and charged with taking part in the 2016 attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Kavala is set to appear in court on Monday.
“Since 2017, the prosecuting authorities have tried to conjure a crime out of thin air, but have repeatedly failed. On the contrary, each tortuous twist in this politically motivated prosecution has further exposed the hollowness of the Turkish justice system,” Muiznieks added.
In his final hearing on March 4, the prosecutor requested that Kavala be found guilty of "attempting to overthrow" Erdogan's government, reported AFP.
If convicted, the activist will face an aggravated life sentence.
The court on Monday afternoon ruled for the continuation of Osman Kavala’s detention, reported Bianet. His next hearing is set for April 22.
An Istanbul court asked Kavala to be physically present at the hearing on Monday, a Turkish judicial source told AFP.
However, Kavala attended the session through a video call.
In 2019, the European Court of Human Rights ordered Turkey to release Kavala, with the Council of Europe warning Ankara to comply with the ruling or it would launch disciplinary proceedings.
Updated at 2:08 pm
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