European Parliament member attends rally in Maltepe: 'We stand for democracy in Turkey'

European Parliament member Dario Nardella announced that he participated in the event organized to protest the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The "Freedom for İmamoğlu" rally, organized by the CHP in Maltepe, took place with high participation.

The crowd, gathered at the call of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, demanded the release of İmamoğlu. Participants conveyed joint messages regarding the protection of democratic rights.

In a post shared on social media, Nardella stated the following:

"We stand with İmamoğlu, we stand for democracy in Turkey! Thank you to Özgür Özel today in Istanbul."

We stand with @imamoglu_int we stand for democracy in #Turkey ! Thank you @eurodeputatipd @eczozgurozel today in #İstanbul pic.twitter.com/RX1nubQXfE

— Dario Nardella (@DarioNardella) March 29, 2025

Statements of support from Europe ensured that the event drew international attention. The rally received extensive coverage in both local and foreign media outlets. The US-based The New York Times featured the rally on its front page, reporting the protests in Turkey to its readers with the headline 'The fire has already been lit...'

News Source: 12punto