Court arrests Osman Kavala on new charges of espionage

2020-03-10 08:53:18


	NEWS CENTER - A new investigation was launched against businessman Osman Kavala who was rearrested on July 15 coup attempt charges right after he was acquitted and released from Gezi Park Protests case. Kavala was arrested on espionage charge.

	An Istanbul court late on March 9 ordered the arrest of Osman Kavala on new charges of espionage within the framework of an ongoing investigation against the businessman. The prosecutors have cited Kavala’s alleged contact with U.S. academic Henri Barkey as evidence in the investigation.

	 

	An Istanbul court has ordered the arrest of Osman Kavala on new charges of espionage within the framework of an ongoing investigation against the businessman. Kavala is currently imprisoned at the Silivri Prison for his supposed involvement in the failed 2016 coup attempt.

	 

	The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has accused Kavala of “carrying out activities for foreign states,” according to an arrest warrant document seen by Ahmet Şık, a deputy of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).

	 

	The document submitted to the court has cited Kavala’s alleged contact with U.S. academic Henri Barkey as evidence against the philanthropist in the investigation. Prosecutors likewise accuse Barkey of being a foreign agent and plotting the 2016 failed coup attempt. Barkey regards charges as absurd and ludicrous.

	 

	Late on March 9, Kavala gave his testimony to the court via the judicial conferencing system SEGBİS regarding the new charges. The court later ordered Kavala’s arrest.

	 

	Although having been acquitted in the 2013 Gezi Park case, Kavala was re-arrested on Feb. 19 over charges related to the failed coup attempt of 2016.