Enes Kanter, center for the New York Knicks and Turkish international star, has long made clear his opposition to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Kanter will miss tomorrow’s match-up against the Washington Wizards in London, citing his fears for his life by Turkish spies.
Have a safe flight #Knicks ??
I’ll be missing you guys
Good Bye ? pic.twitter.com/CTHHVwTD2Z— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) January 15, 2019
Ahead of the matchup between the Knicks and Wizards on Thursday, reports have emerged stating the Turkish government is seeking an arrest warrant implicating Kanter as a member of a terrorist organization, and requesting his extradition from the United States. Kanter replied to a tweet from the Wall Street Journal to refute the claims made by the Turkish government.
Turkish Government can NOT present any single piece of evidence of my wrongdoing. ????
I don’t even have a parking ticket in the US ? (True)
I have always been a law-abiding resident. ? https://t.co/DxLgvFcTST
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) January 16, 2019
Kanter has since gone to Twitter to share pictures of himself meeting with United States Senators such as Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and 2016 Presidential Candidate Marco Rubio.
True New Yorker
Had an amazing talk with @SenSchumer pic.twitter.com/4ArCoGjvb9— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) January 15, 2019
Thank you Senator @marcorubio for standing up for Human Rights, Freedom and Democracy.
Stand against all Dictators ?#TurkishDictatorErdogan ??
Part 2; pic.twitter.com/e3xbZqdTYI
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) January 16, 2019
Kanter’s clash with the Turkish government is the latest story of several he’s been involved with in recent weeks. At the end of December, Kanter made clear he felt he was spending too much time on the bench, and last week reports spread of a possible trade involving Kanter and Zach Randolph of the Sacramento Kings.
