Activist and businessman Osman Kavala detained in Turkey

23.10.2017

World

Activist and businessman Osman Kavala detained in Turkey

Rights activist and businessman Osman Kavala was detained in Istambul Atatürk Airport on October 19th. The police still have not reported the reasons for detention.  Businessman’s lawyer Ferat Cagil said Kavala will remain in custody for seven days.

Osman Kavala is the chairman of Anadolu Kültür Foundation which supports arts, culture and human rights protection projects. In 2005, the foundation launched “Arts and Cultural Dialogue with Armenia”. In the frames of this initiative Turkish and Armenian artists have cooperated to organize various concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, art workshops, etc.

After 2016 military coup attempt the Turkish government arrested thousands of people, including journalists, artists and public figures. Many government employees were fired.

The actions of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian regime have been criticized by the international community. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert called Kavala’s detention an example of a “very alarming trend”.

Regional Post wrote about 2016's coup attempt in September-October 2016 issue. 

Photo: Courtesy of agos.com