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.”
A journalist stands in front of a poster featuring jailed businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala on Oct. 31, 2018.
A journalist stands in front of a poster featuring jailed businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala during a press conference of his lawyers on Oct. 31, 2018. - OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images
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Nazlan Ertan
@NazlanEr

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. 

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