The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has once again requested the release of imprisoned Turkish businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala.
By Leo Kendrick • Medyascope
Kavala has been in prison since 2017 on charges of trying to overthrow the Turkish government in connection with the 2013 Gezi Park protests. Today’s (August 25) announcement was the second time the court has ruled Kavala’s rights were violated and requested his release.
The decision released by the ECHR declared Kavala’s conviction ‘null and void’, ordering his immediate release.
While the decision by the ECHR is technically legally binding, most view Kavala’s release as unlikely. The court first ruled in 2019 that Kavala be released, a ruling which was not complied with by Turkish authorities.
In 2021, the Council of Europe filed infringement proceedings against Turkey for its failure to comply with ECHR rulings.
In 2022, after five years of pre-trial detention, Kavala was sentenced to life in prison.
European Parliament’s Turkey rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor, a longtime critic of Turkey’s justice system, visited Kavala in prison in late 2023.
Turkey’s refusal to release Kavala
Turkey claims that the original 2019 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights demanding Osman Kavala’s release is not binding, and that the final decision must be made by Turkish courts.
Demirtaş release order also ignored
In 2024, Council of Europe’s Turkey rapporteur Stefan Schennach reiterated the call for the release of both prisoners in accordance with the ECHR’s 2019 ruling. Yet Both Kavala and Demirtaş remin behind bars.
Former People’s Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairman Selahattin Demirtaş has been imprisoned since 2016 for his alleged role in the 2014 Kobani protests.
Turkey’s refusal to abide by ECHR rulings on the Demirtaş and Kavala cases has been a point of tension between Ankara and the CoE for years.
Following the refusal to release Demirtaş and Kavala in line with the 2019 ECHR ruling, the CoE started infringement proceedings against Turkey in late 2021. Despite these proceedings, Turkey has yet to face any sanctions years later.
ECHR demands release of Osman Kavala | written/translated by Leo Kendrick | Edited by Medysacope English Newsroom
