The Turkish court will hold an updated hearing on Friday (November 26) on the trial of charity businessman Osman Kavala. His case sparked a diplomatic dispute after Ankara and his Western allies called for his immediate release .
The Kavala trial was criticized as politically motivated and symbolized the suppression of dissidents by President Reep Tayyip Erdogan.
The government rejected this and stated that the Turkish courts are independent.
Last month, Erdogan threatened to expel ambassadors from 10 countries, including the United States, Germany and France, because they responded to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling that Kavala should be released.
The prospect of further deterioration in Western relations at that time increased the pressure on the Turkish lira currency. Due to the sharp interest rate cut, the Turkish lira has hit a record low since September.
‘Mmeaningless’
Kavala was acquitted last year on charges related to national protests in 2013, but the ruling was overturned this year and combined with charges in another case related to an attempted coup in 2016. He denied any wrongdoing.
Kavala, 64, said that given Erdogan’s comments about him, it is impossible for him to participate in court hearings as “meaningless” because a fair trial is impossible.
He said in a statement: “As a citizen who defends the rule of law, I think it’s wrong to act in a way that would legitimize the current situation facing the judiciary.”
Kavala is being tried with 51 other people in three separate cases involving the 2013 protests and the 2016 coup attempt against Erdogan and his government.
The European Court of Human Rights called for Kavala’s release at the end of 2019 on the grounds that he did not reasonably suspect that he had committed a crime and ruled that he was detained to silence him.
The European Commission stated that if Kavala is not released, it will start a tort lawsuit against Turkey, which may eventually lead to Turkey being expelled from the body.
