The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has called for the immediate release of Turkish businessman and activist Osman Kavala. Kavala has been in jail for over two years and faces a trial for attempting to overthrow the government following nationwide protests in 2013, according to Turkish authorities. He is accused of providing protesters with “pastries, milk, juice and gas masks”. He faces life imprisonment if convicted, although he denied the allegations. Next hearing of his trial will be on 24 and 25 December, together with 15 other defendants, although Kavala is the only one in pre-trial detention. All 16 accused face charges of damaging public property and places of worship, unlawful possession of dangerous substances and weapons, looting, and serious injury, but no evidence has been presented to connect the defendants with these alleged crimes. In its verdict, the court says that there is a lack of reasonable suspicion and Turkish authorities have been unable to demonstrate and justify the applicant’s pre-trial detention. It has also supported Kavala’s assertion that his detention “pursued an ulterior purpose… namely that of reducing him to silence” and has “a dissuasive effect on the work of human rights defenders”. In a joint statement, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International called Turkish authorities for the immediate release of Kavala. ECHR rulings are binding but Turkey has not implemented them in many occasions. Kavala’s lawyers have called for a swift implementation of the ruling “to ensure that our client returns to freedom at once”.