Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, has indicated that ten ambassadors from USA, France, Canada, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, New Zealand and Germany may be declared as persona non grata.
The main reason why this is happening is because the ambassadors released a statement calling for the release of Osman Kavala. The man has been in jail for more than 4 years for attempted coup and protests. However, he has not been convicted.
When people are declared persona non grata, it means they may lose their diplomatic status and they will not be recognized as ambassadors of their countries by the host. Seven of the envoys represent countries which are members of NATO where Turkey is a member.
The Council of Europe (a human watchdog) has issued a final warning to Turkey to release Mr. Kevala pending trial.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan while speaking to the public in Eskisehir said that the envoys “cannot dare to come to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and give orders.”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan “I gave the necessary order to our foreign minister and said what must be done. These 10 ambassadors must be declared persona non grata at once. You will sort it out immediately.”
Whatever that will happen is not clear at this time.
According to the BBC, the statement by envoys had criticized the “continuing delays” in Osman Kavala’s trial, which “cast a shadow over respect for democracy, the rule of law and transparency in the Turkish judiciary system”.
Mr. Kavala has denied any wrong doing and criticized Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s government saying that his case is an example of their crackdown on dissent in Turkey.
Mr Kavala is a businessman who had been campaigning for democracy and freedom of speech in Turkey. Kavala is alleged to have supported the Gezi Protests which occurred in Turkey in 2013. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan interpreted that the protests were meant to topple him hence his harsh responses.
Observers have indicated that this is a very bold move by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and maybe a show of strength and might benefit the president in Turkey politics with the elections planned to be held in the next year and half. It is a watch and see situation on how serious the Turkish president is or can get.
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