Turkey: EPP Group Calls for the Immediate Release of Istanbul Mayor

The EPP Group calls on the Turkish authorities to immediately release all those detained for exercising their democratic rights, including the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu.

"We reiterate that respect for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms is essential for any credible relationship with the European Union. The detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, along with numerous others, represents a deeply concerning escalation in the ongoing pressure against democratic opposition in Turkey. This development, following previous arrests of elected officials, further undermines the principles of the rule of law, civil liberties, judicial independence, and democratic governance," said Michael Gahler MEP, the EPP Group Spokesman in the Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs and Emmanouil Kefalogiannis MEP, Chair of the Parliament's Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee.

"We are following the recent developments in Turkey with great concern, particularly the detention of the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, along with numerous others. The timing of these actions— just days before his anticipated nomination as a presidential candidate—and the annulment of his university diploma raises serious questions about the integrity of democratic processes and the rule of law,“ Gahler and Kefalogiannis added.

“These events appear to be part of a broader trend in which judicial measures and administrative decisions are increasingly perceived as tools to undermine political pluralism and restrict fundamental freedoms. The recent bans on demonstrations and restrictions on digital communication are further signs of a shrinking civic space,” they stressed.