European Court Rules Turkey Must Release Osman Kavala Immediately

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Turkey violated the European Convention on Human Rights by keeping Osman Kavala in detention since December 10, 2019. The court’s Grand Chamber, its highest body, ordered Turkey to secure Kavala’s release at the earliest possible date and to erase the legal consequences of his conviction. The decision covers the entire period of Kavala’s imprisonment, which the court found unlawful under the Convention. The ruling is final and binding on Turkey, which is a member state of the Council of Europe. Kavala, a Turkish businessman and civil society activist, has been in custody for over four years. The ECHR’s judgment requires Turkey to take immediate steps to free him and to remove any legal effects stemming from his conviction. Turkey has previously rejected similar rulings, but the Grand Chamber’s decision carries significant legal and political weight. The case remains a key test of Turkey’s compliance with international human rights standards.