ISTANBUL (Reuters) – President Tayyip Erdogan stated a call to jail philanthropist Osman Kavala for all times over anti-government protests in 2013 confirmed that Turkey’s courts have been unbiased.
Erdogan stated the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) – which had known as for an finish to Kavala’s detention with out a conviction – in addition to Ankara’s Western allies must abide by the courtroom’s verdict.
After being detained with out a conviction for 4-and-1/2 years, he was convicted and sentenced to life in jail with out parole on Monday for allegedly organising and financing nationwide protests in 2013.
Seven others have been handed sentences of 18 years. All denied the costs. They say the protests erupted spontaneously and have been protected by constitutional rights, denying that they organised them.
Ankara’s Western allies, rights teams and the ECHR say Monday’s determination was politically motivated and meant to intimidate Erdogan’s opponents. Opposition events additionally criticised the decision.
Critics say Turkish courts are underneath the affect of Erdogan and his AK Party, claims they deny.
Erdogan dismissed this once more on Wednesday.
“Our judiciary has proved their independence by not bowing all the way down to blackmail by these outdoors Turkey and their spokespeople,” he stated.
He additionally focused Kavala personally, evaluating him to billionaire George Soros and saying that he was the “behind-the-scenes coordinator” of the protests.
“The determination concerning one particular person made some circles uncomfortable. This man was the Soros of Turkey and the behind-the-scenes coordinator of the Gezi occasions,” he stated.
Rights teams say the case was geared toward criminalising the so-called Gezi protests and creating the notion they have been funded by overseas powers.
Turkey now faces suspension from the Council of Europe rights watchdog.
Ankara’s Western allies have repeatedly known as for Kavala’s launch, which prompted threats from Erdogan to expel 10 ambassadors final yr.
(Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen and Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Jonathan Spicer)
