Dem senator asks Trudeau to ensure NBA’s Enes Kanter safe passage to Canada

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday to ensure Portland Trail Blazers center Enes Kanter’s safe passage to Canada if the team makes the NBA Finals.

“I ask your government to facilitate Mr. Kanter’s safe passage to and from Canada should the Portland Trail Blazers play the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, Canada, in the upcoming NBA Finals,” Wyden wrote in the letter. 

“I also urge your government to state publicly that it will not comply with any Interpol red notice meant to interfere with Mr. Kanter’s livelihood and to intimidate him and his family back in Turkey.”

From U.S Senator @RonWyden to Canadian Prime minister @JustinTrudeau  pic.twitter.com/CSNDak6H3K

— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) May 14, 2019

Kanter, who has played a key role for the Trail Blazers during this year’s playoffs, is a Turkish native and outspoken critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Kanter has feuded for years with his home country’s government, which alleges that Kanter is a terrorist because of his support for Muslim cleric Fethullah Gülen.

{mosads}Turkey accused Gülen of orchestrating a failed coup against the government in 2016. It has sought the extradition of Gülen, who lives in the U.S.

In 2017, the Turkish government revoked Kanter’s passport and issued an international arrest warrant for him, which has meant Kanter has not been able to play NBA games in Canada or London. Earlier this year, he declined to travel to London with his former team the New York Knicks, fearing a possible assassination attempt because of his political views.

“Since being drafted into the NBA in 2011, Mr. Kanter has used his public platform to criticize Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” Wyden wrote to Trudeau. “President Erdogan responded by revoking Mr. Kanter’s passport in punishment and accusing him of supporting terrorists.”

The Trail Blazers are playing the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals for a chance to play the winner of a series between the Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks.