ISTANBUL: President Tayyip Erdogan said he does not recognize European decisions seeking the release of philanthropist Osman Kavala and Kurdish politician Selahtin Demirtas and will abide by Turkish court decisions on them, broadcaster NTV reported on Wednesday.
last week Council of Europe Told Turkey that he was preparinginfringement proceedingsOn its failure to release Kavala, a move that could see Ankara suspended from the human rights body. It also urged Turkey to release Demirtas.
Speaking to reporters on a flight returning from Doha, Erdogan was quoted as saying that there were European regulations on both Kavala and Demirtas.invalid“For Turkey.
Asked about the council’s decision, Erdogan said, “We do not recognize the decisions taken by the EU regarding Kavala, Demirtas etc.”
The council’s warning on Kavala was in line with the 2019 ruling European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Turkey responded by accusing the Strasbourg-based body of interfering in the functioning of its independent courts.
Last week a Turkish court ruled that Kavala should be kept in prison, with his four-year detention extended without conviction. He is accused of trying to overthrow the government in a case that added to tensions in Ankara’s turbulent relations with Western allies.
Demirtas, the former leader of Turkey’s third-largest parliamentary party, has been jailed on terrorism-related charges pending trial since November 2016. Both have denied the allegations against them.
last week Council of Europe Told Turkey that he was preparinginfringement proceedingsOn its failure to release Kavala, a move that could see Ankara suspended from the human rights body. It also urged Turkey to release Demirtas.
Speaking to reporters on a flight returning from Doha, Erdogan was quoted as saying that there were European regulations on both Kavala and Demirtas.invalid“For Turkey.
Asked about the council’s decision, Erdogan said, “We do not recognize the decisions taken by the EU regarding Kavala, Demirtas etc.”
The council’s warning on Kavala was in line with the 2019 ruling European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Turkey responded by accusing the Strasbourg-based body of interfering in the functioning of its independent courts.
Last week a Turkish court ruled that Kavala should be kept in prison, with his four-year detention extended without conviction. He is accused of trying to overthrow the government in a case that added to tensions in Ankara’s turbulent relations with Western allies.
Demirtas, the former leader of Turkey’s third-largest parliamentary party, has been jailed on terrorism-related charges pending trial since November 2016. Both have denied the allegations against them.
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