The US envoy to Turkey and 9 others are expelled

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that he had told his foreign ministry to expel the ambassadors of the United States and nine other Western countries for demanding the release of philanthropist Osman Kavala.

 

A US State Department spokesperson said it was aware of the reports and was seeking clarity from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Norway said its embassy had not received any notification from Turkish authorities.

 

“We will continue to call on Turkey to comply with democratic standards and the rule of law to which the country committed itself under the European Human Rights Convention,” Maaseide said.

 

A source at the German Foreign Ministry also said the 10 countries were consulting with one another.