Statement from Osman Kavala following ECHR ruling: Freedom cannot be restricted without concrete evidence

Osman Kavala, who is in prison due to the Gezi Park trial, issued a statement following the second ruling by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding his case.

Kavala stated that the ECHR ruling examined the conviction process and emphasized, as in previous ECHR rulings, that the right to live freely cannot be restricted without "convincing concrete evidence" showing that a crime has been committed.

Recalling the acquittal decision issued in 2020 within the scope of the first Gezi Park trial, Kavala said that it was demonstrated in that decision as well that there was no evidence of him having committed a crime.

''With its latest ruling, the ECHR has stated that the understanding that courts can issue conviction verdicts based on general assessments regarding events and reasoning that involves reading intentions about the purpose of activities is unacceptable.''

Kavala noted that the right to live freely cannot be restricted for individuals who have not engaged in an act considered a crime by law, and stated that adhering to this principle is an obligation of the rule of law toward its citizens.

Emphasizing that compliance with ECHR rulings is also related to the fulfillment of this obligation, Kavala expressed that the implementation of these rulings is necessary for the rule of law.

News Source: 12punto