A court in Istanbul has acquitted famous businessman Osman Kavala, who was charged with conspiracy for overthrow of the government during the massive protests held in 2013, reports Bloomberg.

Nine accused-on-trial have been released, and the decisions for detention for other persons living abroad have been annulled. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had declared that Kavala is the “local traitor” of the conspiracy led by billionaire George Soros.

The protests were against construction in Gezi Park in Istanbul and quickly turned into the biggest challenge to the government of then-Prime Minister Erdogan.