A Turkish court on Monday sentenced prominent Turkish civil rights activist and philanthropist Osman Kavala to life in prison without parole, finding him guilty of trying to overthrow the government amid mass anti-government protests in 2013.
An Istanbul court also sentenced seven other defendants, including 71-year-old architect Mucella Japici, to 18 years in prison each for “aiding” the experience. He ordered the activists, who are not in custody, to be arrested immediately, the state Anatolian Agency reported.
The verdict, which is likely to damage Turkey’s relations with Western countries, comes after Europe’s highest human rights body, the Council of Europe, launched infringement proceedings against Turkey for refusing to comply with a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. of the man who called for the Liberation of Kavala on the grounds that his rights had been violated.
Kavala, 64, was detained at Silivri Prison on the outskirts of Istanbul after being detained on October 18, 2017 and charged with financing the protests. He and other defendants have denied all charges and are expected to appeal the sentences.
Human rights groups say Kavala was persecuted with fragile evidence and that the case was politically motivated.
“Justice does not prevail”
Supporters of Kavala and seven other defendants immediately protested Monday’s sentences, shouting slogans in support of the 2013 protests, which turned from a dispute over the construction of a mall in a park in Istanbul to wider demonstrations against then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip’s government. Erdogan.
Ozgur Ozel, an opposition lawmaker whose party often questions the independence of Turkish courts, has accused the judiciary of meeting the wishes of Erdogan, who is now president.
“Justice does not prevail here today – the will of the man who rules this country has been fulfilled,” he told reporters in front of the courthouse.
Ozel also denounced the process as Erdogan’s attempt to “demonize protests that were extremely peaceful and organized for environmental reasons”.
Kavala calls decision “murder”
Asked about his final words in court on Monday, Kavala said: “The harsh life sentence I am facing is a murder that cannot be explained by legal reasons,” according to a group of the Media and Legal Research Association that monitors process.
In a statement Friday, Kavala once again denied the allegations, insisting he had only taken sweets and face masks from protesters. He said allegations that he led the protests “are not plausible”.
Lawyers, opposition lawmakers and supporters gathered in front of the Chaglayan Palace of Justice in Istanbul on Monday as the court held a hearing on Kavala and 15 others. (Dilara Senkaya / Reuters)
“The fact that I spent 4.5 years of my life in prison is an irreparable loss for me. My only consolation is the opportunity for my experience to contribute to a better understanding of the serious problems of the judiciary,” Kavala told the court via video. conference by Silivri.
The United States condemns the verdict
The United States said it was “deeply concerned and disappointed” by the verdict, calling it “unfair” and “incompatible with respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.”
“Again, we call on Turkey to release Osman Kavala,” the US State Department said in a statement.
“We remain seriously concerned about the continuing harassment of civil society, the media, political and business leaders in Turkey.
Kavala is the founder of the non-profit organization Anadolu Kultur, which focuses on cultural and artistic projects promoting peace and dialogue.
Kavala was initially acquitted in February 2020 on charges linking him to the Gezi Park protests in 2013. While his supporters awaited his release, Kavala was re-arrested on new charges linked to the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. The acquittal was later overturned and the case reopened in connection with a coup attempt blamed by the Turkish government on the network of US – based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Gulen denies having anything to do with the coup attempt.
A court on Monday acquitted Kavala on charges related to the coup attempt, saying there was not enough evidence, Anadolu reported.
In October, Kavala’s continued detention sparked a diplomatic crisis between Turkey and 10 Western countries, including the United States, France and Germany, after they called for his release on the fourth anniversary of his imprisonment.
Erdogan has accused Kavala of being the “Turkish branch” of billionaire American philanthropist George Soros, whom the Turkish leader claims is behind the riots in many countries. He threatened to expel Western envoys for interfering in Turkey’s internal affairs.
Kavala, shown speaking at an event in this photo without a date, was sentenced to life in prison after being accused of trying to overthrow the Turkish government. (Anadolu Kultur / Reuters)
The European Court of Human Rights’ 2019 ruling says Kavala’s imprisonment aims to silence him and other human rights defenders and is not backed by evidence of a crime.
The ongoing process of violations by the Council of Europe, a 47-member bloc defending human rights, could lead to the suspension of Turkey’s voting rights or membership in the organization.
Erdogan rejected the violation process, saying Turkey would not “recognize those who do not recognize our courts”. Turkey says Kavala’s detention is linked to the 2016 coup attempt, not previous allegations by the European Court.
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