Top Turkish diplomat slams Germany over Kavala verdict protest

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Turkish foreign minister on Saturday criticized Germany for its reaction to the jailing of Osman Kavala, saying the European country “cannot interfere” in Ankara’s internal affairs.

The leading philanthropist and intellectual was handed a life sentence on Monday over controversial charges, causing an outcry in the international community.

Turkey and Germany summoned envoys in a tit-for-tat move over Kavala jailing dispute. 

Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey “brings into line those who look down on the country, interfere in its internal affairs, and those that attempt to teach the country a lesson," the state-owned Anadolu Agency reported. 

The Turkish foreign ministry on Friday told the German diplomat that Berlin’s condemnation of the ruling was seen as an attempt to politicize Kavala’s case and interfere with Turkey’s “independent” courts. 

“We respect them, and we expect them to respect us as well,” Cavusoglu added. “We do not interfere in their domestic politics, and they cannot interfere in our domestic politics, judiciary, institutions, and they cannot give [us] instructions.”

Kavala was arrested in November 2017 on charges of overthrowing the constitutional order of Turkey and espionage. He was accused of financing a 2013 protest in Istanbul and was acquitted, but was re-arrested and charged with taking part in the 2016 attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Kavala’s plight led to soaring tensions between Turkey and the West.

The German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Kavala's verdict "stands in stark contrast to the rule-of-law standards and international obligations to which Turkey is committed as a member of the Council of Europe and an EU accession candidate,” while calling for his immediate release. 

The United States said it was “deeply troubled and disappointed” by the decision.