Scholar Usman Kavala sentenced to life in prison for criticizing Turkish President

Kavala's lawyers have expressed their intention to appeal the decision

A Turkish court has sentenced prominent intellectual and rights activist Usman Kavala to life in prison for plotting a coup. 

Three panel judges sentenced seven other defendants to 18 years in prison for helping to overthrow the government. 

The decision has been strongly condemned by some of Turkey's key allies in the NATO defense alliance, as well as by rights activists. 

Many of them stormed out of the Istanbul courtroom crying. 

Germany says the 64-year-old should be released "immediately." The tragic decision shows that the European Union has no vision for present-day Turkey. 

Osman Kavala's lawyers have stated they intend to appeal against the decision. 

He told the court via video link from the High Security Prison that he saw the whole process as 'judicial murder'. 

Shortly before his sentencing, Usman Kavala told the court that "these are conspiracy theories that have been developed on political and ideological grounds." It took less than an hour. 

Kavala is known as a mild-mannered businessman who spends part of his fortune promoting culture and projects. 

However, he was born in Hungary by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 

Presented as the left-wing agent of the future American billionaire George Soros, who was accused of using foreign money to overthrow the state. 

Erdogan declared in 2020, Can't live together