France "
strongly deplored
" Tuesday, April 26 the life sentence of the Turkish patron Osman Kavala, who was accused of having attempted to overthrow the Turkish government, and called for his "
immediate release
" as well as "
the abandonment of all the charges against him
”.
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"It's deeply shocking": Turkish patron Osman Kavala sentenced to life in prison
"
This figure of civil society has been detained for more than four and a half years, in violation of Turkey's international obligations
", in particular under the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, declared the spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“
France reiterates its attachment to respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law
added Anne-Claire Legendre.
The defense demanded the acquittal of Osman Kavala, 64, for lack of evidence and denounced the relentlessness of power.
He was only acquitted of the espionage charge.
His lawyers have indicated their intention to appeal.
Osman Kavala - who has always denied the charges against him - denounced a "
judicial assassination
" against his person and the influence of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his trial.
The United States said it was "
deeply troubled and disappointed
" by his sentencing, calling for his release and urging "
the (Turkish) government to stop politically motivated prosecutions
."
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock denounced a judgment "
in flagrant contradiction with the standards of the rule of law
", while the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell judged that the decision testified "
to a maximum severity
.
Human Rights Watch representative Emma Sinclair-Webb, present in court, denounced on Twitter the "
worst possible outcome
", "
horrifying, cruel and diabolical
and Amnesty International's Europe director, Nils Muiznieks, blasted a "
travesty of justice
".
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Turkey: How long will Erdogan last?
