Erdogan slams Western envoys who urged philanthropist's release
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned a joint statement issued by the United States and nine other countries that called on Ankara to end its four-year detention of Osman Kavala.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned a group of Western ambassadors who urged Turkey this week to release philanthropist Osman Kavala.
"I told our foreign minister: We can't have the luxury of hosting this lot in our country. Is it for you to give Turkey such a lesson? Who do you think you are?" Reuters quoted Erdogan as telling reporters on Thursday.
Earlier this week, the Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassadors of 10 countries who issued a joint statement on Monday calling for a "just and speedy resolution" to Kavala's case.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tanju Bilgic said on Thursday that Turkey would respond to the ambassadors "when the time comes.”
