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DPA
Istanbul
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that he ordered his foreign minister to declare the ambassadors of 10 countries, including Germany and the United States, “persona non grata” over their call to free jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala.
“I gave the necessary order to our foreign minister. I asked him to declare these 10 ambassadors persona non grata as soon as possible,” Erdogan said in the western city of Eskisehir.
Erdogan’s remarks come a day after he said the ambassadors are not welcome in Turkey, contending judiciary in Turkey is independent.
“This is Turkey. This is not a tribal state you think it is!” Erdogan said, referring to the top diplomats, also calling Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden “impertinent.”
It was not immediately clear if and when Erdogan’s remarks would lead to Ankara expelling the diplomats.
Kavala has been in pre-trial detention since November 2017.
Accused of espionage and attempting to overthrow the government through 2013 Gezi protests, Kavala denies all charges but could face life imprisonment if convicted.
His prolonged detention has been a reason for tension between Ankara and some of its Western allies which consider Kavala a symbol of Erdogan’s crackdown on critics.
Erdogan accuses Kavala of links to what he calls an international network for stirring up political upheavals in Turkey and the surrounding region.
The ambassadors called in a statement on Monday for a “just and speedy resolution” to Kavala’s case.
The next day, they were summoned to Turkish Foreign Ministry which rejected the statement as “irresponsible” and “unacceptable”.
The envoys have also asked Turkey to abide by the 2019 European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling to release Kavala.
Kavala is the founder of the NGO Anadolu Kultur, which promotes exchange and dialogue between Turkey and its neighbours through cultural and artistic works.
Kavala on Friday said from his Istanbul prison cell that he will not appear in any future court hearings, arguing that he can no longer expect a fair trial following Erdogan’s “scandalous” remarks.
The next court hearing in the case against Kavala and several others is set for November 26.
Istanbul
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that he ordered his foreign minister to declare the ambassadors of 10 countries, including Germany and the United States, “persona non grata” over their call to free jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala.
“I gave the necessary order to our foreign minister. I asked him to declare these 10 ambassadors persona non grata as soon as possible,” Erdogan said in the western city of Eskisehir.
Erdogan’s remarks come a day after he said the ambassadors are not welcome in Turkey, contending judiciary in Turkey is independent.
“This is Turkey. This is not a tribal state you think it is!” Erdogan said, referring to the top diplomats, also calling Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden “impertinent.”
It was not immediately clear if and when Erdogan’s remarks would lead to Ankara expelling the diplomats.
Kavala has been in pre-trial detention since November 2017.
Accused of espionage and attempting to overthrow the government through 2013 Gezi protests, Kavala denies all charges but could face life imprisonment if convicted.
His prolonged detention has been a reason for tension between Ankara and some of its Western allies which consider Kavala a symbol of Erdogan’s crackdown on critics.
Erdogan accuses Kavala of links to what he calls an international network for stirring up political upheavals in Turkey and the surrounding region.
The ambassadors called in a statement on Monday for a “just and speedy resolution” to Kavala’s case.
The next day, they were summoned to Turkish Foreign Ministry which rejected the statement as “irresponsible” and “unacceptable”.
The envoys have also asked Turkey to abide by the 2019 European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling to release Kavala.
Kavala is the founder of the NGO Anadolu Kultur, which promotes exchange and dialogue between Turkey and its neighbours through cultural and artistic works.
Kavala on Friday said from his Istanbul prison cell that he will not appear in any future court hearings, arguing that he can no longer expect a fair trial following Erdogan’s “scandalous” remarks.
The next court hearing in the case against Kavala and several others is set for November 26.
