Turkish Philanthropist Kavala Handed Life Sentence by Istanbul Court

“This verdict deals a devastating blow not only to Osman Kavala, his co-defendants and their families but to everyone who believes in justice and human rights activism in Turkey and beyond.”

Kavala — who has already spent more than four years in jail — denies allegations he financed the anti-government protests. In his final defense statements on Friday, Kavala said the claims are “not plausible” and based on “evidence that is not evidence.”

“The fact that I spent four-and-a-half years of my life in prison is an irreparable loss for me,” he told the court by videoconference. “My only consolation is the possibility that my experience will contribute to a better understanding of the grave problems of the [Turkish] judiciary.”

The 64-year-old has been jailed in Silivri prison on the outskirts of Istanbul since he was detained in October 2017.

Human rights groups say Kavala has been prosecuted with limited evidence and that his fundamental rights have been violated.

Kavala was initially acquitted in February 2020 of charges that connected him with the 2013 Gezi Park protests.