Blog update as of 5/30/17, we discussed this blog on our podcast:
The Turkish government has accused the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Enes Kanter of being a terrorist. They allege the Kanter uses the same messaging app as the Gulen movement. Kanter has publicly and vocally supported the movement. Apparently, prosecutors in Turkey requested an international red notice from Interpol to locate and arrest Kanter.
Now, it’s worth noting that the reports come from the Sabah, which is a government run publication. It is often viewed as an extension of Turkish President Erdgan. The European Parliament has also banned the Sabah.
That being said, Enes Kanter can’t feel 100% comfortable right now, as President Trump (aka the human Cheeto) has showed an unusual fondness for Turkey’s President Erdgan. Despite the uncertainty, Enes Kanter has announced that he wishes to be become a United States citizen. This comes after he was detained in Romania as a result of Turkey revoking his passport.
ESPN: The Oklahoma City center was traveling internationally for his Enes Kanter Light Foundation and was in Indonesia, where he said his manager was approached by Indonesian “secret service and the army” looking for Kanter. Kanter said Indonesian authorities told his manager that the Turkish government had called and informed them that Kanter “is a dangerous man and we need to talk to him.”
Kanter, who had been broadcasting his whereabouts on social media promoting his charity work with his foundation, said he and his manager fled to Singapore on the first flight out.
“We kind of escaped the country at 5:30 a.m. and we went to Singapore and then we went to Romania, and that is where the madness started,” Kanter said.
Thoughts on Enes Kanter and Turkey?
We want to hear what you think. Let us know in the comments below.