Turkey rejects Washington’s call for the release of businessman Kavala

Turkey rejected Thursday the US call for the “immediate release” of businessman and activist Osman Kavala, condemning Washington’s interference in the Turkish judiciary.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry responded in a statement saying that “the legal process by independent courts regarding Osman Kavala is underway. Everyone should respect this procedure. On the other hand, the Turkish ministry described Washington’s position as “inconsistent,” noting its refusal to hand over the preacher Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of instigating the July 2016 coup attempt and residing in the United States.Osman Kavala, a symbol of civil society in Turkey, has been imprisoned since October 2017. He faces life imprisonment as part of a trial on the charge of “attempting to overthrow the government” indicating his suspected involvement in the failed coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July 2016 and for “political espionage”.

Kavala has consistently rejected the accusations against him, and NGOs believe the government is trying to use him as an example to intimidate civil society.

The 63-year-old businessman is known for his support for cultural projects focused on minority rights, the Kurdish issue and the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation.