NBA Star Enes Kanter’s Father Indicted in Turkey on Terrorism Charges

Mehmet Kanter was charged over ties with U.S. cleric allegedly behind a 2016 coup attempt.

Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks in action against Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on December 21, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks in action against Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on December 21, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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A Turkish court has charged the father of Enes Kanter of the New York Knicks with “membership in a terror group” following an investigation into his activities.

According to the indictment against Mehmet Kanter, he contacted more than 100 suspects with ties to Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric whom the government alleges masterminded a failed military coup in 2016, using an encrypted messaging application.

The NBA player has been an outspoken critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said he believes the government is targeting his father because of his political stances. Eres Kanter’s Turkish passport was canceled last year and he’s been charged with insulting the president.

“No matter what happens, I will continue to keep fighting for human rights and freedom of speech; justice and democracy above all,” Kanter said in a statement to ESPN’s Ian Begley. “I will stand for what I believe in. All I’m doing is trying to be the voice of all those innocent people.”

The elder Kanter is facing a prison term of five to 10 years if he is convicted at trial.

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