Osman Kavala's detention is Turkiye's fundamental justice issue: Main opposition

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - The detention of businessman Osman Kavala is Turkiye's most fundamental justice issue, the country's main opposition leader said on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Republican People's Party's (CHP) parliamentary group, Kemal Kilicdaroglu claimed there was no justice in the country.

Kavala has been in prison for over 1,500 days despite a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that he should be freed, said Kilicdaroglu.

"That he is in prison is not his personal issue, but is Turkiye's most fundamental justice issue," Kilicdaroglu said.

When they come to power in the country's next elections, Kilicdaroglu said the Nation Alliance of the CHP and several other parties will be able to solve this issue.

Kavala faces charges over the 2013 Gezi Park protests, a small number of demonstrations in Istanbul that later grew into nationwide riots which left eight protesters and a police officer dead.

The government has characterized the protests as a coup attempt.

Kavala was acquitted of all charges in February 2020, but an appeals court overturned this ruling in January 2021.

He was also accused of involvement in the 2016 defeated coup orchestrated by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in Turkey and in March 2020 was remanded in custody on charges of spying.​​​​​​​