Erdogan says Turkish courts proved independence by convicting Kavala

FILE PHOTO: Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala, accused of attempting to overthrow the government and jailed since late 2017 without a conviction, speaks during an event in this undated handout photo. Anadolu Kultur/Handout via REUTERS

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said a decision to jail philanthropist Osman Kavala for life over anti-government protests in 2013 showed that Turkey's courts were independent.

Erdogan said the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) - which had called for an end to Kavala's detention without a conviction - as well as Ankara's Western allies would have to abide by the court's verdict.