Verdict Reveals Kavala Previously Released in Case Where He was Recently Arrested

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It has been revealed that rights defender and businessperson Osman Kavala was previously released in the case where he was remanded in custody yesterday (February 19).

A court on February 18 acquitted Kavala and ordered his release in the trial over the 2013 Gezi Park protests. On the same day, İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued a detention warrant on him as part of an investigation into the failed coup attempt in July 2016. İstanbul 8th Penal Judgeship of Peace (court on duty) remanded him in custody last night. Kavala has been in prison for 842 days.

In the verdict of arrest, it was indicated that Kavala was allegedly in contact with Henri Barkey, a wanted suspect in the July 15 attempted coup investigation, and he has "suspicion of escape."

Release order in the same case

However, an ex officio order by İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office dated October 11, 2019, states that Kavala shall be released as "arrest was not a reasonable measure."

Kavala was remanded in custody due to the Gezi trial at the time. Considering the time he spent under arrest because of the charged offenses, the current situation of evidence, and that he was under prosecution, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office concluded that arrest was not a reasonable measure.

The prosecutor's verdict refers to the Gezi indictment, stating that Kavala was under prosecution and charged with attempting to overthrow the government of the Republic of Turkey or preventing the government from doing its duty, damage to property, qualified form of damage to property, holding or handing over dangerous material, damaging places of worship and cemeteries, violation of the Law No. 6136 on Firearms and Knives, qualified looting, qualified bodily injury, Violation of the Law No. 2836 on the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Property.

The verdict of İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office:

(HA/VK)