Greece has condemned Turkey’s decision to convict activist and philanthropist, Osman Kavala, to life imprisonment.
The 64-year-old was jailed for life without parole on Monday after he was convicted by an Istanbul court of trying to overthrow Turkey’s government by financing protests.
Kavala has supported numerous civil society organisations in Turkey since the early 1990s. He is the founder and chair of the board of Anadolu Kültür, an Istanbul-based non-profit arts and culture organisation.
In a statement posted by the Foreign Ministry on Twitter on Wednesday, Athens called for Kavala’s immediate release, adding that the “decision stands in stark contrast with the international obligations Turkey has assumed.”
“Respect for rule of law, fundamental freedoms and human rights constitute a fundamental obligation for countries aspiring to join the European Union, including Turkey,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry’s statement is one of many condemning Turkey’s conviction of Kavala.
Europe’s top court and several Western governments have also denounced the case against the activist as being politically motivated.
Source: Ekathimerini.
