In a widely unexpected verdict, a Turkish court acquitted prominent philanthropist Osman Kavala and eight co-defendants in a high-profile case that has highlighted the malleability of Turkey’s politicized justice system. Kavala, who was held for 840 days on flimsy charges of seeking to overthrow the government, was expected to be finally freed from the maximum-security Silivri prison on the outskirts of Istanbul. The verdict triggered loud cheers from family, friends and international observers present at the hearing. But their joy was short lived. In a counter move, Istanbul’s chief prosecutor ordered Kavala’s continued detention on charges stemming from a separate case also pertaining to his supposed involvement in the failed 2016 coup. It remained unclear at the time of publication whether he will be re-arrested on those charges.
In December, the European Court of Human Rights had called for Kavala’s immediate release, citing a lack of reasonable suspicion that he had committed any crime. As Turkey is a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights, the court’s rulings are accordingly binding, so Ankara ignoring the court’s opinion was widely interpreted to mean that Kavala would remain behind bars. Hence the surge of disbelief and jubilation.
