Business Person, Human Rights Advocate Kavala Arrested

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Anadolu Kültür Executive Board Chair, human rights advocate and businessperson Osman Kavala was arrested in the early morning hours today (November 1). After being kept in detention for 13 days, Kavala was sent to court for arrest yesterday evening, following his questioning by the police.

Kavala was taken into custody on October 18 at İstanbul Atatürk Airport on his return from a meeting of a project planned to be realized in cooperation with the Goethe Institute in Antep.

CLICK - Activist, Businessperson Osman Kavala Detained

After giving his deposition as part of an investigation carried out by İstanbul Chief Prosecutor Deputy Hasan Yılmaz, he was sent to court for arrest.

Accused of coup attempt, according to state-run AA

The state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) has reported that Kavala was being investigated as a part of the investigation launched into the July 15 coup attempt and the 17-25 corruption and bribery operations, and stated that he was arrested on charges of "attempting to abolish constitutional order" and "attempting to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Turkey".

As of 9 a.m. today, we have not yet been able to reach his attorney Tolga Aytöre.

What happened?

Anadolu Kültür Executive Board Chair, human rights advocate and businessperson Osman Kavala, was taken into custody in the evening hours on October 18 at İstanbul Atatürk Airport on his return from a meeting of a project planned to be realized in cooperation with Goethe Institute in Antep.

He was targeted by some pro-government newspapers following his detention.

Speaking at the weekly group meeting of his party, President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had referred to Kavala as "Soros of Turkey", mentioning his name and said:

"Some try to deflect the truth by means of praises attributed to him such as 'He was a good citizen, a media member, an NGO representative'. Identity of this figure called 'Soros of Turkey' has been uncovered. That was his name that came up in Consulate General [investigation]. All connections have surfaced. And there is the same person behind the incidents in Taksim. You see those people again behind funds transfer to certain places. Who are you trying to fool?"

His detention also sparked criticism on international level.

US thinker and professor in linguistic, Noam Chomsky, United States Department of State Spokesperson Heather Nauert and European Parliament Rapporteur for Turkey Kati Piri denounced Kavala's detention and demanded that he be released immediately.

Yesterday (October 31) a group of 35 academics, writers and researchers coming together under the guidance of the European Network on Political Group Analysis Jean-François Bayart, addressed an open letter to President Erdoğan for Kavala's release.

About Osman Kavala

Kavala was born in Paris in 1957. He graduated from Department of Economy at Manchester University.

He has been working as executive at Kavala Group since 1982.

He participated in foundation of Turkey's one of the most prominent publishing houses with Murat Belge, İletişim Publications.

He served as member at administrative boards of business institutions and NGOs such as Turkey-Poland Business Council, Turkey-Greece Business Council, and Center For Democracy in Southeast Europe.

Kavala is a member of Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) Administrative Board, Open Society Institute Consulting Board, and supporter of Helsinki Citizens' Assembly, History Foundation and Diyarbakır Culture House. (EKN/DG)