İSTANBUL - Being sentenced to "aggravated life imprisonment" due to the Gezi Park protests, Businessperson Osman Kavala said that he was subjected to unlawfulness and discrimination.

 

Businessperson Osman Kavala, who was arrested on November 1, 2017 due to the Gezi Park protests and sentenced to "aggravated life imprisonment" as a result of the trials, made a written statement from Silivri Closed Prison No. 9 on the 5th anniversary of his detention.

 

Pointing to the indictment that led to his arrest and reminding that there is no evidence in the indictment regarding any criminal activity, Kavala said: "Despite this plain fact, which was revealed by the acquittal in the first Gezi trial, by two ECtHR verdicts and by the dissenting votes of the President and members of the Constitutional Court, I completed my fifth year in Silivri Prison."

 

KAVALA DREW ATTENTION TO UNLAWFULNESS

 

Stating that he was subjected to unlawfulness and discrimination, Kavala said: “I keep in mind that I am not the only one who has been subjected to cruel treatment. Hearing the stories of those in prison and seeing people over the age of 80 in the corridors is a constant reminder of this fact."

 

Kavala said: "I think that there is a relationship between the arbitrary imprisonment of citizens and workplace homicide and mine disasters, and that these are due to the spread of an understanding that does not value human life. I believe that the rule of law in our country will initiate a renewal that emphasizes ethical values."