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European Court’s call to free Turkish philanthropist may fall on deaf ears

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala must be released in the absence of evidence to support his charges, but legal observers say Ankara is unlikely to comply.
A journalist stands in front of a poster featuring jailed businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala during a press conference of his lawyers on October 31, 2018. - Osman Kavala was arrested a year ago by Turkish authorities and has still to be charged with an offence. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP)        (Photo credit should read OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

The European Court of Human Rights called today for the immediate release of the prominent Turkish businessman, human rights defender and philanthropist Osman Kavala, who has been languishing in a Turkish prison for the past 770 days. Kavala is accused of seeking to overthrow the government and the constitutional order through force and violence.

The court, whose rulings are legally binding, said it has found that Turkish authorities were unable to provide reasonable evidence that the 62-year-old had committed an offense.

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