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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |