Turkish court opens re-trial in merged Gezi protest cases

FILE PHOTO: Lawyers and supporters of the Gezi solidarity group gather in front of the Justice Palace, the Caglayan Courthouse, as a Turkish court began the re-trial of philanthropist Osman Kavala and 15 others over their role in nationwide protests in 2013, in Istanbul, Turkey, May 21, 2021. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A Turkish court on Friday opened the re-trial of philanthropist Osman Kavala and 50 other defendants over nationwide protests in 2013, in a case which has been a source of growing concern among Turkey's Western allies.

Human rights groups have described the Gezi trial as symbolic of a crackdown on dissent under President Tayyip Erdogan over the last decade. The latest trial combines two cases related to the Gezi protests after their acquittals were overturned earlier this year.