The Turkish court is expected to hear him for the last time Turkish businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala, whose case has sparked a diplomatic row between Ankara and its Western allies following calls from the latter for his immediate release.
The trial of Kavala that has been in prison for over four years without being convicted, was described as politically motivated and an indication of the political repression of dissidents by President Tayyip Erdogan.
The government denies this, as broadcast by the Athens News Agency and says that the Turkish courts are independent.
Last month, Erdogan threatened to expel the ambassadors of ten countries, including the United States, Germany and France, following a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that ruled Kavala should be released.
In 2019, the European Court of Human Rights requested his release
The European Court of Human Rights requested his release at the end of 2019 due to the lack of credible evidence that he committed a crime, judging that his pre-trial detention constitutes an attempt to silence him.
The prospect of a further escalation of the crisis in Ankara’s relations with the West put more pressure on the Turkish pound at the time, which has hit a new record low since September, mainly due to a sharp drop in interest rates.
Kavala faces up to life in prison in a trial for “attempting to overthrow the government”, a charge involving his alleged involvement in the failed military coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July 2016 and for “espionage.” This case was recently merged with another, which concerns his role in the 2013 anti-government protests.
His acquittal in this second case, a year ago, was overturned in January by an appeals court. He denies any wrongdoing.
The 64-year-old Kavala states that it would be “pointless” for him to attend the hearings, as given Erdogan’s comments about his face, it would be impossible for a fair trial to take place.
NGOs estimate that the government is using it to intimidate civil society.
Kavala is known for supporting cultural initiatives for minority rights, the Kurdish issue and Armenian-Turkish reconciliation.
President Erdogan often refers to Osman Kavala as the “representative in Turkey” of the American billionaire of Hungarian descent, George Soros, a black sheep for various authoritarian regimes in the world.
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