Council of Europe starts disciplinary process for Turkey over Kavala
Rights groups are calling for Osman Kavala's immediate release, while Ankara calls the Council of Europe’s decision to start the lengthy process “malicious” and “politically motivated.”
The Council of Europe officially launched today a rare disciplinary process against Turkey for failing to comply with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decision to release Turkey’s Osman Kavala, a philanthropist and businessman who has been in jail for four years.
The infringement proceedings, a lengthy process that may eventually lead to the suspension of Turkey’s voting rights or membership from the Strasbourg-based body, were expected after a Turkish court ruled to keep Kavala behind bars on Jan. 17.
“The Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe has today launched infringement proceedings against Turkey for not releasing Osman Kavala. No one can be surprised. This is what happens when a legally binding ruling is blatantly ignored. What a sad day for Turkey and for those who love this country,” tweeted European Parliament's Turkey rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor.
The Committee of Ministers of @coe has today launched infringement proceedings against 🇹🇷 for not releasing #OsmanKavala. No one can be surprised. This is what happens when a legally binding ruling is blatantly ignored. What a sad day for #Turkey & for those who love this country pic.twitter.com/uQHXGdlkm2
