EU says Turkey must respect 'presumption of innocence'

November 03, 2017 - 8:40 AM

ANKARA, Turkey - The European Union says Turkey must respect the "presumption of innocence" principle in its prosecution of a businessman and activist accused of attempting to overthrow the government.

Osman Kavala was detained last month for alleged connections to U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey blames for a failed military coup last year. Kavala was charged with crimes against the state this week.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called Kavala "Turkey's Soros," a reference to American billionaire George Soros.

Soros' Open Society Foundations have funded education, health, justice and media projects around the world.

Pro-government media in Turkey accuse Kavala of engaging in anti-government conspiracies.

EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said Friday that the public rhetoric about Kavala "cast serious doubt on the respect of due process and the presumption of innocence."

News from © The Associated Press, 2017

More News ...

iN RESPONSE: Readers have their say
Following are emailed reader responses to stories or letters to the editor for the third week of April 2024. They have been edited slightly for readability. Got something you want to add? Send an email to editor Marshall Jones at mjo

Fruit packers near Kelowna fined another $78,000
A fruit packing plant in the Ellison area east of Kelowna was hit with another $78,368 in fines for discharging effluent into a failed septic field. That’s now more than $110,000 in fines since 2022 for the same issue at Sandher Fruit

Advocacy group calls on Vancouver to 'embrace' cannabis tourism after 4-20 'debacle'
VANCOUVER - The head of a B.C. cannabis growers group says the City of Vancouver's choice to discourage instead of sanction a marijuana celebration over the weekend was a costly "missed opportunity." The BC Craft Farmers Co-Op

Tranquille developer blames province after multiple ALC denials
The province's Agricultural Land Commission has heard multiple pleas from the owner of a historic Kamloops property who wants to build an agricultural suburb on the massive site. Each time Ignition Developments goes to the commission, i

Popular penticton News

'Heartbreaking': Kamloops residents reflect on demolition of decades-old hotel, nightclub
A building with a long and entertaining past has been demolished to make way for new housing developments on Kamloops North Shore, leaving some residents feeling nostalgic. The Northbridge H
April 21, 2024 6:00 PM
Kamloops RCMP knew 'suspicious debris' was a body long before informing the public
Kamloops Mounties issued a cryptic news release in January after officers blocked a downtown riverfront trail and asked the public to stay clear of the area. The public would learn the next
April 22, 2024 7:00 AM
Kamloops mayor considers selling business, home to avoid conflicts, pay legal bills
The mayor of Kamloops is considering his options as he looks to sell his home and his business. Reid Hamer-Jackson said he forgot about the listing, which was posted two years ago, but
April 20, 2024 7:00 AM
Tranquille developer blames province after multiple ALC denials
The province's Agricultural Land Commission has heard multiple pleas from the owner of a historic Kamloops property who wants to build an agricultural suburb on the massive site. Each ti
April 21, 2024 6:00 AM
Kamloops serial rapist gets sentence doubled
Troy Schank was already in custody for rape when he pleaded guilty in a Kamloops courtroom to two more sexual assaults. The 37-year-old's time in prison doubled to five years April 22 fo
April 22, 2024 5:07 PM

Trending Now

TRENDING NOW: Dog doesn't like to lose at board games

View Site in: Desktop | Mobile

EU says Turkey must respect 'presumption of innocence'

Trending Now

Kamloops

Kelowna

Penticton

Vernon