HRW: Extending Kavala’s Detention is a Travesty That Should be Promptly Reversed

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Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a statement regarding businessperson and rights defender Osman Kavala, who was re-arrested as part of an investigation launched into July 15 coup attempt shortly after the court ruled for his acquittal and release in Gezi trial.

CLICK - Osman Kavala Arrested Again

"An Istanbul court's order on February 19, 2020 to detain a prominent civic leader, Osman Kavala, demonstrates the extent to which Turkey's government is abusing its justice system to target perceived critics", the HRW has underlined in its statement.

Roth: Turkey's justice system at the whim of President'

Referring to the harsh criticism of President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan about the verdicts of acquittal, HRW Executive Director Kenneth Roth has also stated:

"The immediate re-arrest of Osman Kavala in another bogus investigation after his acquittal on trumped-up charges for the Gezi Park protests shows how Turkey's criminal justice system is politically manipulated, with detention and prosecutions pursued at the political whim of the President.

"Kavala has already been wrongfully imprisoned for 28 months. Extending his detention further is a travesty that should be promptly reversed." (EKN/SD)