Turkey re-arrests human rights activist hours after acquittalFebruary 19, 2020 - 12:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Prominent Turkish businessman and human rights activist Osman Kavala has been re-arrested, just hours after he was acquitted of trying to overthrow the government, Turkish media report, according to Massis Post. A court ordered Kavala’s immediate release earlier on Tuesday, February 18, after dropping charges against him and eight others over protests in 2013. He had spent over two years in prison. But hours later, a warrant was issued against him over a 2016 coup attempt which triggered a massive crackdown. Rights group Amnesty International said Kavala’s renewed detention “smacks of deliberate and calculated cruelty”. “To have been granted release after almost two-and-a-half years behind bars only to have the door to freedom so callously slammed in his face is a devastating blow for Osman Kavala, his family and all who stand for justice in Turkey,” the group’s Turkey campaigner said in a statement. Kavala is one of the most prominent figures of Turkey’s civil society and is a committed activist, promoting cultural and intellectual dialogue for peace and reconciliation. He is a close friend of the Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink’s family and has been actively fighting for a fair trial on Dink’s murder. On April 24, 2016, Kavala visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan and paid tribute to the memory of the innocent victims. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |