Turkish court begins retrial over 2013 Gezi Park protests

Judge rejects new request for Osman Kavala, among 16 other people on trial, to be freed from custody

A Turkish court has begun the retrial of the philanthropist Osman Kavala and 15 other people over their alleged role in nationwide protests in 2013, an expanding case that critics and even Ankara's western allies say aims to quash dissent.

Kavala and eight others accused of organising the protests that began in Istanbul's Gezi Park were acquitted of all charges in February 2020 but an appeal court overturned that ruling in January.