While on the Knicks earlier this season, Enes Kanter didn’t travel with the team to London, citing fears he could be killed.
Now with the Trail Blazers, he isn’t going to Toronto, either.
A Turkey native, Kanter is an outspoken critic of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In response, Turkish prosecutors have sought an international arrest warrant for Kanter.
So, he’s staying in the United States.
Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers:
Enes Kanter says he’s not traveling with the team to Toronto due to the Red Notice the Turkish government has submitted to Interpol soliciting his arrest.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) February 28, 2019
Kanter says he expects his American citizenship will be approved by 2021, but until then, he’s something of a man without country.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) February 28, 2019
“Because of one dictator I can’t go out and do my job. Pretty sad.” — @Enes_Kanter
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) February 28, 2019
It’s a shame Kanter’s ability to travel abroad is limited because of his speech. Freedom of speech is an important right.
This is a good reminder of the higher stakes people face outside basketball.