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A Turkish appeals courtroom on Wednesday upheld the conviction of Osman Kavala, a distinguished philanthropist and human rights activist. The 65-year-old can be a main critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In April, Kavala was sentenced to life in jail on fees that included trying to overthrow the federal government. The April verdict added to tensions in Ankara’s uneasy ties with the West.
Seven different defendants within the case have been every sentenced to 18 years in jail.
On Wednesday, the appellate courtroom dominated that the April verdict “complied with the regulation,” in accordance with the Anadolu state information company. The protection can nonetheless enchantment the case in Turkey’s Supreme Court docket.
Turkey broadly criticized over Kavala’s therapy
Kavala has been in pretrial detention since 2017, after he was accused of orchestrating and financing the Gezi Park protests in Istanbul in 2013.
In early 2020, a Turkish courtroom acquitted him of all fees. Only a few hours later, nonetheless, fees have been introduced once more, alleging involvement within the 2016 coup makes an attempt, and he was re-arrested.
Kavala denied the allegations.
The European Court docket of Human Rights (ECHR) demanded Kavala’s launch, referring to the trial as “politically motivated.” Turkish officers have, nonetheless, repeatedly known as the judiciary unbiased.
The Council of Europe threatened Turkey with disciplinary measures and, in December 2021, initiated infringement proceedings.
Final yr, Turkey threatened to expel ten overseas ambassadors after their embassies signed a letter calling for Kavala’s launch, sparking a short diplomatic disaster.
In November, the Institute for International Cultural Relations in Germany gave the Award for the Dialogue of Cultures to Kavala in absentia.
lo/dj (dpa/AFP)
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