European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varghei issued a joint statement on recent developments in Turkey, in particular the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
“Today’s detention of Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu and the arrests and charges brought against elected officials, political activists, civil society and business representatives, journalists and others since the beginning of the year raise questions about Turkey’s respect for its long-standing democratic traditions,” the statement said.
It noted that respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights is key to Turkey’s European integration and will remain an important part of its relationship with the EU.
“The EU calls on the Turkish authorities to ensure full transparency and respect due process. As a candidate country for EU accession and a long-standing member of the Council of Europe, Turkey must apply the highest democratic standards and practices,” – stated in the message.
On 19 March it became known that the Turkish authorities detained the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu, the main political opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as part of an investigation into cases of corruption and links to terrorism.
Imamoglu was detained after his home was searched. On social media the day before, he accused the government of “usurping the will” of the people. “We are facing a great tyranny. But I want you to know that I will not give up,” the mayor said in a video message.
Ekrem Imamoglu has been the mayor of Istanbul since March 2019. He is considered Turkey’s main opponent to incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan should he run for office again – Imamoglu was the only candidate in the primaries from the opposition Republican People’s Party.
Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city and home to more than 15 million people. After his victory in the 2023 presidential election and the collapse of the opposition coalition, Recep Erdogan, who has been president since 2014, had hoped to bring Istanbul back under the control of the president’s Justice and Development Party.