A European rights court has ordered Turkey to release imprisoned businessman, philanthropist and activist Osman Kavala, who has spent almost a decade behind bars.
Kavala has been held on charges that rights groups say are politically motivated. The available evidence does not provide the wording of the court’s decision, identify the charges in detail or set out the Turkish authorities’ position on the rights groups’ allegation.
The order brings renewed focus to the length of Kavala’s detention and creates a clear question over Turkey’s next step. It is not yet known from the supplied information whether the authorities will comply, whether a timetable for his release has been set, or whether further legal proceedings are expected.
No details have been provided about Kavala’s current place of detention or his response to the ruling. The evidence also does not specify whether Turkish officials have issued a public statement following the court’s order.