Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the expulsion of ambassadors from 10 Western countries, including the United States.
According to the British news agency Reuters, on Saturday the Turkish President ordered the Foreign Ministry to expel the ambassadors of 10 countries for demanding the release of social activist Usman Kwala.
The seven ambassadors represent Turkey's NATO allies and, if ousted, could trigger a bitter rift with the West over Erdogan's 19-year rule.
Usman Kowala, a supporter of various civil society groups, has been in jail for four years. He is accused of financing nationwide protests in 2013 and involvement in a failed coup in 2016. He is in custody and his latest trial is ongoing, but he denies all charges.
In a joint statement issued on October 18, the ambassadors of Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, New Zealand and the United States called for a speedy resolution of Osman Koala's case and his "immediate release". What was demanded?
He was summoned by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, which called the statement irresponsible.
"I have given the necessary orders to our foreign minister and told him what to do," Erdogan told a public rally in the northwestern city. These 10 ambassadors should be disqualified at the same time. You will resolve this (issue) immediately"They will know and understand Turkey," he said. The day they don't know and understand Turkey, they will leave. "
The US and French embassies, the White House and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Erdogan has previously said he plans to meet with US President Joe Biden at the G20 summit in Rome next weekend.
Norway said its embassy had not received any notification from Turkish authorities.
"Our ambassador has not done anything to deport him," said Trudeau Maside, the ministry's chief spokesman.
He said Turkey was aware of Norway's views
"We will continue to urge Turkey to adhere to democratic standards and the rule of law, which it has committed to under the European Convention on Human Rights," he said.
Note that six countries are members of the European Union, including Germany and France.
In this regard, the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, tweeted that the deportation of 10 ambassadors is a sign of the dictatorial move of the Turkish government. We will not be afraid. Freedom for Usman Koala.
The Danish foreign minister also said his ministry had not received any official notification, but was in contact with friends and allies.
A German Foreign Ministry source also said that 10 countries were consulting with each other
