SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Turkish foreign ministry summoned the ambassadors of 10 countries over a statement calling for the release of philanthropist Osman Kavala, state-owned Anadolu agency reported on Tuesday.
The countries included the United States, Germany, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and New Zealand, according to Anadolu.
The statement, shared by some embassies, said Kavala’s case “cast a shadow over respect for democracy,” Reuters reported.
Kavala has been jailed for four years without being convicted, despite the European Court of Human Rights’ calling for his release.
Kavala, 65, was arrested on charges related to the failed 2016 coup. He has denied charges of involvement in the attempted coup.
Rights activists, Turkey’s Western allies and some opposition parties have called for the release of Kavala, on grounds that his continued detention in a case pointed towards political pressure on the judiciary.
