The top appeals court in Turkey has upheld the life sentence of philanthropist Osman Kavala, according to broadcaster Haberturk and other media reports. In the same case, the court overturned the 18-year prison sentences of three individuals. Kavala, aged 65, was originally sentenced to life in prison without parole, while seven others received 18-year sentences on allegations of organizing and financing nationwide protests in 2013. Many perceived the verdict as a crackdown on dissent and punishment of the government’s perceived opponents through the judiciary. All defendants have denied the charges, claiming that the protests were spontaneous.
On Thursday, the appeals court confirmed the life sentence for Kavala and an 18-year sentence for Can Atalay, who was elected as a member of parliament in May, along with three others, according to Haberturk. However, the court overturned the 18-year sentences of Mucella Yapici, Hakan Altinay, and Yigit Ekmekci.
This ruling effectively concludes the appeals process for Kavala, who has been in custody since 2017. The Constitutional Court of Turkey had previously rejected his appeal as well.
In 2013, hundreds of thousands of people protested in Istanbul and other parts of Turkey against the construction of replica Ottoman barracks in Gezi Park. These demonstrations eventually evolved into nationwide protests against President Tayyip Erdogan’s government. Erdogan has labeled the protesters as terrorists and has repeatedly accused Kavala of being the financier behind the protests.
Ankara’s Western allies, opposition members, and rights groups argue that Turkish courts are under the control of the government. Erdogan and his AK Party, on the other hand, claim that the courts are independent.
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Turkey must release Kavala and others due to violations of their rights. Despite this ruling, Turkey has not taken any action, which could potentially lead to its suspension from the Council of Europe.
Reporting by Burcu Karakas and Ali Kucukgocmen; Writing by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Alexandra Hudson
Credit: The Star : News Feed
