Turkish court decides acquittal of Osman Kavala & other defendants in Gezi case

UPDATE (19 Feb 2020) detention order for Osman Kavala from the Attorney General’s office! The prosecutor general’s office issued a new detention order for Osman Kavala as part of another investigation into the July 15 coup attempt. Kavala, who was detained after the verdict, was taken to the Istanbul Police Department on Vatan Street, again
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An Istanbul court dropped the charges against Osman Kavala in regards to Gezi Park protests. Nine defendants were acquitted, while files of 7 defendants abroad were kept for further testimonies.

The courtroom was filled with relatives and supporters of the defendants, and cheers and cries of joy rose after the verdict was delivered in what is seen as Turkey’s most important case.

The defendants, 9 civilian activists  were charged for terrorism. However, the court in Istanbul announced that the defendants, including business person Osman KAVALA were acquitted of their crimes. Many claimed that the government was using the trial of the 16 activist opponents to suppress the voice of dissents.

In the case, which has been criticized by Western allies and human rights groups, the court has ruled on the acquittal of Osman Kavala and the other defendants. Kavala was under arrest for over two years. In December, the European Court of human rights had called for the termination of this case.