NBA star Enes Kanter discusses threats against him and hostile relations with Turkey

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - Enes Kanter is a 6-feet 11-inches tall player for the Portland Trailblazers and is here in LA this week to play the LA Clippers.

An Interpol arrest warrant is out for Kanter who Turkish authorities are calling a terrorist, but he says he's in trouble with President Erdogon's administration because he has spoken out against the Turkish Government and continues to do so.

"It's very sad what's going on with my country...Turkey could be the bridge between West and Modern Islam and just because of all of the stuff going on in Turkey right now it's impossible," said Kanter. "There is no democracy...there is no freedom."

His dad goes on trial on March 14, 2019, accused of trying to help a cleric in America overthrow the country. He says his dad could face 10 to 15 years in a Turkish prison.

Kanter says they hate the fact that he has a platform in America as an NBA basketball star. He also says he is so scared he has skipped basketball games in London and Toronto for fear that he would be arrested and extradited.

"They call me a bad guy, even a terrorist. I want to be a voice for the people who don't have a voice," Kanter said. He claims thousands of women and children are incarcerated as part of a Turkish crackdown on dissidents.

We have reached out to the Turkish consulate nationally and locally for a response. We have not yet received that.

Catch more of Enes Kanter on "In Depth" on Sunday, March 17, 2019, at 9 a.m. on Fox 11.