A Turkish court on Friday extended the imprisonment of philanthropist Osman Kavala, whose case caused a diplomatic crisis with the US and other western countries after they called for his release.
The court's decision paves the way for the Council of Europe to start infringement proceedings against Turkey.
Kavala was incarcerated without being convicted for more than four years, prompting accusations of political persecution against businessman amid international criticism of Ankara's crackdown on opponents.
This trial is another brazen episode in the relentless political persecution for which the European court has condemned Turkey, said Nils Mui nieks, Amnesty International's Europe director. When a state shows disregard for its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe must take action and initiate infringement proceedings. The Council of Europe, a 47 member bloc that upholds human rights, warned Turkey in September that it would begin proceedings unless it releases Kavala before a ministerial meeting next week.
The US, Germany and France all demanded Kavala's immediate release in line with the European Court of Human Rights rulings in the year 2019. The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdo threatened to expel the envoys before backing down.
The European court's decisions are binding on its members and it had demanded Kavala's release two years ago pending trial, saying his imprisonment aimed to silence him and was not supported by evidence of an offence.
Turkey was held by the rulings of its independent judiciary.
Kavala, 64, is accused of funding nationwide anti-government protests in 2013 and helping orchestrate a coup attempt three years later. He denies the charges, which carry a life sentence without the chance of parole.
Kavala didn't attend Friday's hearing at Istanbul 13th High Court. He previously said that his presence was meaningless and a fair trial no longer possible via video link from Istanbul s Silivri prison. His wife Ay e Bu ra, opposition lawmakers and foreign diplomats were present. Riot police and water cannon vehicles were posted outside the courthouse.
Kavala was acquitted in February of last year of charges in connection with the 2013 Gezi protests, but the ruling was overturned and linked to charges relating to the coup attempt.
The trial is now part of a case involving 51 other defendants, including fans of the Be ikta football club who were acquitted six years ago of charges related to the Gezi protests before that decision was overturned.
Turkey has had a rocky relationship with the West due to criticism of its human rights record since the failed coup in which 250 people were killed and a foreign policy that has put it at odds with fellow Nato members.
Ankara is facing an economic crisis in which the lira hit record lows over the last two months, losing 20% of its value in November.
With Erdo referring to him as a Soros leftover in speeches, Kavala's links to the Open Society Foundations of billionaire financier George Soros have loomed large in his case.
The next hearing will be held on January 17th.