Police detain businessman, activist Osman Kavala at Istanbul airport
ISTANBUL
Police on Oct. 19 detained businessman and civil society activist Osman Kavala at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport.
Kavala had landed in Istanbul from the southeastern province of Gaziantep, returning from a meeting on a joint project planned with the German Goethe Institute.
Kavala was detained while he was still on board the plane and he was later transferred to police headquarters, according to media reports.
Kavala is the chairman of the Anadolu Kültür A.Ş. and is also the co-founder of İletişim Publishing House.
His lawyer Ferhat Çağıl on Oct. 19 told the independent T24 news website that Kavala will be held in detention for seven days.
Kavala’s detention has drawn condemnation from European Parliament Rapporteur Kati Piri, among others.
“Very disturbing news that Osman Kavala has been detained in Istanbul. Will propose in [the European Parliament] to launch urgent call for his release!” Piri tweeted.
Very disturbing news that Osman Kavala has been detained in Istanbul. Will propose in EP to launch urgent call for his release! https://t.co/SoY37P3fYL
— Kati Piri (@KatiPiri) 18 Ekim 2017
