US Urges Turkey to Release Businessman Acknowledging Genocide

The US authorities have called on Turkey to release Osman Kavala, a Turkish businessman who has acknowledged the Armenian Genocide. He has been in prison for 1001 days already. Ermenihaber reports that the US State Department's statement said, "We urge Turkey to respect its commitments and to provide a fair, transparent, and swift resolution to the case."

The source recalls that Osman Kavala, a public figure and businessman accused of attempting to overthrow the government of the Republic of Turkey, was released on February 18 of this year by the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court. However, just hours later, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued a detention order for Kavala.

This time, Kavala is accused of participating in the attempt to overthrow the Turkish government that occurred on July 15, 2016, under Article 309 of the Turkish Penal Code, namely, “attempting to disrupt the constitutional order.”

Karo Paylan, an Armenian member of the Turkish parliament, expressed his dissatisfaction on Facebook regarding Kavala's detention, labeling the decision as disgraceful.

It is worth noting that Kavala is a well-known public figure who founded and led the Anadolu Kültür Foundation for many years, organizing events that represent Armenian culture. He has recognized the fact of the Armenian Genocide and has condemned it in strong terms.