Turkish court acquits businessman, other defendants in landmark trial

A Turkish court on Tuesday ruled to acquit businessman Osman Kavala and other defendants over their alleged role in protests in 2013, in a case that had drawn strong criticism from Turkey's Western allies and human rights groups.

Philanthropist Kavala has been in custody for more than two years. The European Court of Human Rights in December called for his immediate release, saying there was a lack of reasonable suspicion that he had committed an offense.

Kavala and two other defendants had been facing life sentences without parole, while the other defendants were accused of aiding them in attempting to overthrow the government by organizing the protests.