Statement by Osman Kavala’s Defense Counsel İlkan Koyuncu following the arrest warrant for Kavala on March 9, 2020

THE STATE SHOULD FIND ITSELF ANOTHER PASTIME!

Osman Kavala was arrested on November 1, 2017 as part of investigation 2017/96115 under the Article 309 [attempting to overthrow the constitutional order] and the Article 312 [attempting to overthrow the government] of the Turkish Penal Code (TPC).

Osman Kavala was ordered released on October 11, 2019 by the Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office for investigation 2017/96115 under the Article 309 of TPC.

Osman Kavala was arrested on February 19, 2020 as part of investigation 2017/96115 under the Article 309 of TPC.

Osman Kavala was arrested on March 9, 2020 as part of investigation 2017/96115 under the Article 328 [on the charge of political and or military espionage] of TPC.

At the time of the first arrest, police detained Osman Kavala, took his statement and sent him to the public prosecutor who then dispatched him for arrest without taking his statement. Osman Kavala was arrested before the Criminal Court of Peace.

At the time of the second arrest, police detained him and without taking his statement, sent him to the public prosecutor who then dispatched him for arrest without taking his statement. Osman Kavala was arrested before the Criminal Court of Peace. 

At the time of the third arrest, police did not take his statement, public prosecutor did not take his statement, he was not brought before the Criminal Court of Peace, and he was arrested again.

Osman Kavala has been arrested three times and released once based on the same investigation. 

And now they will say that Osman Kavala was arrested for another crime, which renders inapplicable both the European Human Rights Court’s ruling on the violation of rights and the Turkish Judicial Reform Package’s provision stating ‘time in custody cannot exceed two years during an investigation.’ I am ashamed on your behalf.

Defense Counsel of Osman Kavala - Attorney İlkan Koyuncu

March 10, 2020