Gezi unrest was the largest mass protest in Turkey’s recent history. Erdoğan labels these protests as a coup bid.
The Gezi case ended with a surprise verdict after a long process. Nevertheless, Erdoğan demonstrated that there is no place for surprises in the country he rules.
The court acquitted all the accused in its verdict on the trial of Gezi Park protests, including Turkish activist Osman Kavala, who has spent over two years in detention in the case.
Life of this verdict, that nourished hopes for the rule of law in Turkey did not last long as there was a new ordeal for the symbol of the crackdown.
But within hours, the Istanbul prosecutor’s office announced that it had ordered to keep Kavala in custody over an investigation into the coup attempt in 2016.
In his speech at the group meeting of his party, President Erdoğan once again described the Gezi Park protest days as a coup and made harsh remarks targeting the Gülen Movement and the Gezi protests.
“There are some people behind the scenes, like Soros, in some countries who are serious in means of revolt, and they had their foot in Turkey. With a maneuver, they tried to acquit him (Osman Kavala) yesterday. With Osman Kavala, others are also involved,” Erdogan said.
With his words, Erdogan made it clear that he was behind the instruction of the new detention order.
Erdogan claims that Osman Kavala was supported during Gezi protests by George Soros, the billionaire financier, whom Mr. Erdogan has previously referred to as “that Hungarian Jew.”
Immediately after President’s statement, the Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) launched an investigation against the judges of the Istanbul 30th High Criminal Court, who issued the acquittal verdict in the Gezi case. This situation brings with it the risks of being expelled from the profession of judges or even being arrested.
After July 15, nearly 5000 judges and prosecutors were purged without any compensation. Almost 3000 judges and prosecutors were arrested.
Decisions Erdoğan dislikes gets modified
High profile cases are under Erdogan’s direct supervision, and decisions taken by judges have been changed many times on previous occasions.
One of the examples was the case of 16 jailed journalists. A couple of hours after the release of journos, working in newspapers affiliated with the Gülen Movement, were re-arrested in front of their families and relatives waiting at the prison door as a “coup” investigation was launched against them.
Prominent journalist and author Ahmet Altan also became Erdogan’s target a few days after his release and was re-arrested.
One of the most striking examples of the pressure Turkish judges encounter is Judge Bünyamin Karakas.
The arrest of Karakaş was recorded as the most striking example of the prompt punishment of judges who made decisions that are at odds with the Erdogan Regime. Karakaş was detained and arrested during the recess in a trial.