Kavala deems black propaganda series about him on Turkey’s state TV 'conspiracy'

Duvar English

Osman Kavala, who has been incarcerated since 2017, on June 20 released a written statement addressing his representation in the TV series "Metamorfoz" aired on Turkey's state television TRT's new digital platform.

Kavala stated that even though the series did not use his name explicitly, it “resorts to the method of distorting real events and through conspiracy theories seeks to create the perception” that he is guilty. 

He also added, “I am not really surprised by the fact that public resources are invested for such a purpose. What truly surprises and saddens me though is young actors’ not feeling any discomfort about taking part in this ‘character assassination’ project that seeks to discredit me.”

The first episode of the series, which references the Gezi Park protests in its trailer, tells the story of a leftist businessman who becomes a "capitalist" by taking over the company after the death of his father. The main character was also tried to be physically depicted as Kavala himself. 

Kavala was arrested in 2017 on charges that he helped to plan the 2013 Gezi Park protests in Turkey. He was cleared of these charges in February 2020 but immediately arrested on charges that he orchestrated the July 2016 coup attempt, seen at the time as a way of getting around the ECHR's 2019 ruling that called for his immediate release.

In April 2022, an Istanbul court sentenced Kavala to aggravated life in prison without parole on charges of attempting to overthrow the government.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously said they will not respect ECHR’s decision, triggering proceedings which could result in Turkey's suspension from the Council of Europe, of which it is a founding member.