The European Commission has responded to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu by stating that it calls into question Turkey’s “adherence to its long-established democratic tradition,” without going so far as to express a clear condemnation.
Türkiye must respect democratic principles as an EU candidate. A Commission representative stated on Monday that “the rights of elected officials and the right to peaceful protest must be fully respected. We want Turkey to stay rooted in Europe, but doing so calls for a resolute dedication to democratic values and customs. And Türkiye must adhere to those core values,” the official continued.
Turkish authorities imprisoned İmamoğlu on Sunday after they accused him of helping a terrorist organisation due to his electoral partnership with a pro-Kurdish party, as well as corruption, extortion, bribery, and money laundering. İmamoğlu and his attorneys have vehemently denied the charges, claiming they are politically motivated and untrue. Later, the Interior Minister dismissed him as a “temporary measure.
Turkey awoke to an extraordinary betrayal today. The current legal procedure is an execution without a trial and is far from fair. Social media posts were made by İmamoğlu. Turkey has seen days of nonstop mass protests in response to İmamoğlu’s incarceration, which have been called the biggest in over ten years.
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