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| Mr Kavala was last year acquitted of charges over nationwide protests in 2013, but almost immediately rearrested. The acquittal was overturned and new charges were added relating to the military coup attempt against the Erdogan government in 2016. (Photo by=AFP) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered 10 ambassadors, including those from the US, Germany, and France, be declared persona non grata. BBC said that it came amidst the statement by the envoys calling for the urgent release of activist Osman Kavala.
He has been in jail for more than four years over protests and a coup attempt, although he has not been convicted. Persona non grata can remove diplomatic status and often results in expulsion or withdrawal of recognition of envoys. This week's statement on Mr. Kavala jointly came from the embassies of the US, Canada, France, Finland, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden. Seven are fellow Nato allies of Turkey.
The Council of Europe, Europe's main human rights watchdog, has given Turkey a final warning to heed a European Court of Human Rights ruling to free Mr. Kavala pending trial. Addressing a crowd in Eskisehir on Saturday, Mr. Erdogan said the ambassadors "cannot dare to come to the Turkish foreign ministry and give orders". Mr. Erdogan said the envoys should either understand Turkey or leave, Turkish media reported. There has been little response from the ambassadors so far, although the German foreign ministry said the nations involved were in "intensive consultation". No official notification has been received from Turkish authorities.
