Boston Celtics big man Enes Kanter had plans of hosting a free basketball camp at the Islamic Center of Long Island, but the Turkish government has apparently used its influence to have the clinic canceled.

Kanter, who is a devout Muslim of Turkish descent, sent out an official statement with regards to the camp's cancellation on Wednesday. As part of his message, he noted that the Islamic Center of Long Island decided to cancel the event after the Turkish consulate in New York City threatened the mosque. Kanter also pointed out that a group of “goons” were sent to the facility.

Kanter's battle with the Turkish government has been ongoing for quite a while, as he has been an outspoken critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his policies. When Kanter speaks out against Erdoğan, the Turkish government is quick to respond.

In May of 2017, Kanter was detained in Romania for an “invalid passport.” He later said that the Turkish government rescinded his passport because of his “political views.” He was eventually released, however.

In December of that same year, a Turkish news agency reported that prosecutors were seeking a four-year sentence for Kanter for insulting Erdoğan via Twitter in 2016. The Turkish government even went as far as indicting Kanter's father on charges of being a member of a terrorist group, which led to the family's home being raided. As a result, Kanter says he can no longer visit his family in Turkey.

As previously noted, Kanter is a Muslim, and he follows the teachings of Fethullah Gülen, who is a Turkish cleric that preaches a moderate form of Sunni Islam. Gülen's movement is growing, and several schools have been erected in Turkey and other countries to spread his message.

However, Erdoğan claimed that Gülen orchestrated a failed coup against the Turkish government in 2016. Following the alleged coup, Erdoğan demanded that the United States extradite Gülen to Turkey to stand trial, though there was little to no evidence that he was involved.

The fact that Kanter supports Gülen is likely the reason he has become a target. So long as Erdoğan is in power, the Celtics big man will be in his sights.