European Court Says the Turkish Judiciary Has a ‘Systematic Problem’ in Ruling on Philanthropist
The court said Kavala’s case showed structural flaws that could let the executive influence sensitive judicial decisions, and it repeated its call for his release.
- On Tuesday, The European Court criticized Turkey's courts over the imprisonment of philanthropist Osman Kavala, saying the case highlighted a 'systemic problem' marked by detention of Human Rights defenders and journalists.
- Kavala was first detained in 2017 on accusations of financing protests four years earlier; he received a life sentence without parole in 2022 on charges tied to 2013 protests and a 2016 coup attempt.
- The court ruled his conviction 'null and void' and stated violations 'also revealed structural shortcomings which affected the guarantees of independence and impartiality of the judiciary,' facilitating executive influence on sensitive cases.
- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed previous court rulings, while The Turkish government maintains its justice system is independent. The case sparked a 2021 diplomatic crisis when Erdogan threatened to declare 10 foreign ambassadors in Ankara persona non grata.
- Human Rights advocates and opposition groups argue that Erdogan's government has weaponized the judiciary to target rivals after more than two decades in power, a concern underscored by the European Court's findings.
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66 Articles
The Strasbourg Court of Human Rights calls for the release of the cultural promoter Osman Kavalas and denounces structural problems of the Turkish judicial system.
The judges in Strasbourg criticize the Turkish courts unusually sharply.
The European Court of Human Rights demands the immediate release of Osman Kavala from Turkey. Since 2017, the activist has been imprisoned almost continuously, he is accused of attempted overthrow. Judgments of the Court are binding on Turkey as a member state, the country has not reacted to this day.
Top EU court says Kavala case exposes erosion of judicial independence in Turkey
Europe's top human rights court has renewed its call for Turkey to immediately release jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala, saying his imprisonment reflects a broader “systemic problem” over independence and impartiality of the judiciary.
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