Joint message from European Parliament members against detention decision: 'We stand with İmamoğlu'

Reactions from Europe have emerged following the detention of CHP presidential candidate nominee and İBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The Council of Europe issued a statement condemning İmamoğlu's detention. The Council announced that it will address the issue of the removal of mayors from office in Turkey during its session to be held on Monday, March 24. Members of the European Parliament issued a joint message, stating, ''We stand with İmamoğlu, we stand with democracy in Turkey.'' said.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe released a declaration on the matter. The statement, signed by Congress President Marc Cools and rapporteurs David Eray and Bryony Rudkin, noted that İmamoğlu's detention is viewed as political pressure directed at the presidential elections. The statement pointed out that the revocation of İmamoğlu's diploma and the detention process occurred just before the CHP was set to determine its presidential candidate.

Following the Congress's decision, members of parliament shared a joint message for İmamoğlu. In video messages shared on social media, the parliamentarians used the phrases ''We stand with İmamoğlu, we stand with democracy in Turkey.''

Support messages for Ekrem İmamoğlu have begun to arrive from members of European parliaments:

“We stand with Ekrem İmamoğlu.” pic.twitter.com/AWSx6WzB0e

— Büyükşehir Çalışıyor (@tcbuyuksehir) March 19, 2025

COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO CONVENE ON MARCH 24

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities stated that the people of Istanbul have demonstrated their trust in İmamoğlu in three separate elections. The statement noted that 'Such practices are contrary to the will of the people,' and that the issue will be brought to the agenda at the session on March 24. It was emphasized that the meeting to be held in Strasbourg will focus on the removal of mayors from office in Turkey.

Former European Parliament Rapporteur for Turkey Kati Piri interpreted the detention decision as 'a major step taken by the Erdoğan regime toward full autocracy.' Piri expressed that the European Union must intervene in this situation.

News Source: 12punto