Statement by Osman Kavala upon completion of his 9th year in prison

I have now completed my ninth year in Silivri. When I was first detained, I thought it was a mistake that would be corrected shortly. I was wrong. Following the Gezi trial, which ended in my acquittal due to the absence of any evidence that I had committed a crime, my detention was maintained on the basis of a fabricated espionage charge, despite the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The acquittal decisions were overturned, and severe sentences were imposed on me and the other defendants. In an attempt to compensate for the lack of evidence supporting the charges against me, inconceivable allegations were put forward. It was alleged that I had directed the Taksim Solidarity Platform, comprising more than twenty political parties and political organisations and nearly one hundred trade unions, professional chambers and associations, towards an uprising, and that I had met all the needs of demonstrators who were allegedly attempting to overthrow the government.

In view of all this, the ECtHR, in its latest judgment, characterised the measures that led to the restriction of my liberty as a flagrant denial of justice.

This finding signifies a failure to comply not only with the rules of law but also with ethical principles. One consequence of this is the devaluation of human life.

I was 60 years old when I entered prison. Since then, I have spent almost all the time during which I could have actively engaged in civil society work, as well as a significant portion of the years during which I could have expected to live in good health, in prison. Nevertheless, despite all the difficulties we are experiencing, I believe that I will live to see progress towards the establishment of the rule of law in my country. If, as I hope, lessons can be drawn from the Gezi trial and the injustice I have suffered, this will be a source of consolation for me.

Osman Kavala

November 1, 2026