12/03/2021 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – The Turkish courts ruled once again to keep Osman Kavala imprisoned on November 26, despite repeated calls by the European Court of Human Rights, international organizations, and countries like the United States. The Istanbul hearing is the first to occur since 10 Western ambassadors were threatened with expulsion after expressing Kavala’s detention “cast a shadow” over Turkey’s democracy and judicial system.

Kavala has remained imprisoned on allegations of his involvement in the 2013 Gezi Park protests and the 2016 coup attempt. Turkish President Erdogan has kept Kavala in jail without conviction for more than four years. The next hearing is scheduled for January 17.

The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers is considering infringement proceedings against Turkey for its failure to release Kavala, as mandated by the European Court of Human Rights 2019 ruling.

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