Detention Warrant Against Osman Kavala

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The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has issued a detention warrant against rights defender and businessperson Osman Kavala, for whom the İstanbul 30th Heavy Penal Court gave a verdict of acquittal and release in Gezi trial earlier today (February 18).

As reported by Anadolu Agency (AA), the warrant has been issued as part of an investigation launched into the coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

In a statement for the press released by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the following remarks have been made:

'Appeal will be lodged against verdicts of acquittal'

"As part of the investigation launched into the attempted insurrection that is known as 'Gezi incidents' and targeted the government of the Republic of Turkey, a criminal case was filed against certain suspects who planned, led and directed the protests by the indictment of our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office dated February 19, 2019.

"With the verdict of the İstanbul 30th Heavy Penal Court dated February 18, 2020, a verdict of acquittal has been given for the defendants, against whom a criminal case was filed, and a verdict of release has been given for arrested defendant Mehmet Osman Kavala.

"A petition of appeal has been submitted to the related court in relation with the request for the reversal of the verdict and our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office will lodge an appeal after the justification of the verdict is written.

"As part of another investigation conducted by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the July 15 coup attempt, a detention warrant has been issued for Osman Kavala on charge of 'attempting to disrupt the Constitutional order" as per the Article 309 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK)."

CLICK - Acquittal in Gezi Trial, Ruling of Release for Osman Kavala

Osman Kavala has been behind bars for 840 days as part of Gezi trial. Following the verdict of acquittal and release, Kavala was expected to be released from Silivri Prison in İstanbul in the evening today. (EKN/SD)