Turkey: Osman Kavala's life sentence upheld by the Court of Cassation

2023-09-28T21:30:41.941Z

Highlights: Osman Kavala has been in prison for almost six years, and is likely to remain there for a long time. He was designated as a public enemy by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his alleged role in the Gezi Park protests in 2013. This trial is seen as a symbol of Turkish power's attacks on civil society. The high court also upheld the 18-year prison sentences of four co-defendants – urban planner Tayfun Kahraman, filmmakers Mine Özerden and Çiğdem Mater, and lawyer Can Atalay, elected to parliament in May.

The Turkish Court of Cassation confirmed this Thursday, September 28, the life sentence of businessman and patron Osman Kavala, designated as a public enemy by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for...

Turkey: Osman Kavala's life sentence upheld by the Court of Cassation

The Turkish Court of Cassation confirmed on Thursday (September 28th) the life sentence of businessman and patron Osman Kavala, designated as a public enemy by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his alleged role in the Gezi Park protests in 2013. This trial is seen as a symbol of Turkish power's attacks on civil society.

The patron Osman Kavala was sentenced to life imprisonment last April, his sentence was confirmed by the Turkish Court of Cassation on Thursday, September 28. © HANDOUT / Anadolu Culture Center / AFP

By: RFI Follow

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With our correspondent in Istanbul, Anne Andlauer

Osman Kavala has been in prison for almost six years, and is likely to remain there for a long time. The Turkish businessman, locked up and designated a public enemy by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his alleged role in the Gezi Park protests in 2013, saw his life sentence confirmed by the Turkish Court of Cassation on Thursday (September 28th).

Following the prosecution's requests – and President Erdoğan's statements – the Court of Cassation described the philanthropist as the "main organizer and financier" of the anti-government demonstrations in Gezi Park in the spring of 2013. It upheld his life sentence for "attempting to overthrow the government".

Source of tension with the European Union

The high court also upheld the 18-year prison sentences of four co-defendants – urban planner Tayfun Kahraman, filmmakers Mine Özerden and Çiğdem Mater, and lawyer Can Atalay, elected to parliament in May – who remain in prison. Finally, it quashed the convictions of three other defendants, two of whom were to be released.

The Council of Europe has repeatedly called on Turkey to release Osman Kavala, following a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that his imprisonment was aimed at "silencing" him and intimidating other human rights defenders. Because of its refusal to implement this judgment, Turkey is subject to infringement proceedings, which can go as far as expulsion from the Council of Europe.

Turkey: Osman Kavala's life sentence upheld by the Court of Cassation

Turkey: Osman Kavala's life sentence upheld by the Court of Cassation

Source of tension with the European Union

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