Mayors from across Europe convened in Istanbul to award imprisoned opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu a ‘special recognition award,’ in a ceremony widely interpreted as a gesture of solidarity with Turkey’s embattled opposition.
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| European mayors award jailed Istanbul mayor with special recognition European mayors award jailed Istanbul mayor with special recognition |
Mayors and representatives from across Europe — including Barcelona, Zagreb, Athens, Timișoara, Utrecht, Budapest, Paris and Madrid — gathered in Istanbul for the event. Among them were Barcelona’s Jaume Collboni, vice-president of the Eurocities network, and Sofia’s Vasil Terziev, who chairs the Balkan Cities Network (B40).
The delegation was welcomed by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s deputy mayor, Nuri Aslan, with senior officials from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the mayors of Bursa and Muğla also in attendance.
Aslan condemned what he described as the “unjust” imprisonment of İmamoğlu, noting that European colleagues had stood in solidarity with Istanbul “from the very first days.” He added that the delegation’s request to visit İmamoğlu in prison had been denied by Turkey’s Ministry of Justice.
İmamoğlu, Istanbul’s elected mayor and one of the most prominent figures in the CHP, has been held since 19 March on charges of corruption and abuse of office. His supporters insist the case is politically motivated, portraying him as the most formidable rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and a potential contender in future national elections.
‘Cities embody democracy’
Speaking at the ceremony, Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni said the delegation’s presence in Istanbul was intended as a demonstration of solidarity. “Cities are where democracy truly takes shape,” he remarked. “As European mayors, we stand together for freedom, democracy and the rule of law.” Presenting the award, Collboni described İmamoğlu as “a powerful reminder of justice.”
Zagreb mayor Tomislav Tomasević offered a personal defence of the jailed politician. “I know him well,” he said. “He is honest, principled and courageous. He always places the public interest above his own. The fact that only opposition mayors face imprisonment on corruption charges speaks for itself.” He also recalled that the Balkan Cities Network had been founded four years ago under İmamoğlu’s leadership, adding: “That alone raises serious questions.”
İmamoğlu’s message from prison
In a message relayed from Marmara Prison through his wife, İmamoğlu said the award was not a personal honour but a collective one. “This award belongs to all citizens in Turkey and around the world who resist authoritarian pressure, who stand for justice and freedom,” he wrote.
Now more than five months into his imprisonment, the Istanbul mayor insisted his resolve had only deepened. “My determination has not diminished — on the contrary, it has grown stronger. I am reading, writing, reflecting on world affairs, taking notes and developing solutions,” he said.
Medyascope'u destekle. Medyascope'a abone ol.
Medyascope’u senin desteğin ayakta tutuyor. Hiçbir patronun, siyasi çıkarın güdümünde değiliz; hangi haberi yapacağımıza biz karar veriyoruz. Tıklanma uğruna değil, kamu yararına çalışıyoruz. Bağımsız gazeteciliğin sürmesi, sitenin açık kalması ve herkesin doğru bilgiye erişebilmesi senin desteğinle mümkün.
He framed his detention as the outcome of his political vision: “In Istanbul we implemented a participatory, green, fair and democratic model of governance. We sought to spread this ‘Istanbul Model’ across the country. The reason I am in prison today is that desire for change — a longing for a more democratic, just and prosperous Turkey.”
Utrecht’s mayor, Sharon Dijksma, said her city prided itself on being a “human rights city” and issued a direct appeal: “Across the world, authoritarian leaders are trying to strip away our democratic values. I call on everyone with influence to demand İmamoğlu’s release.”
Sofia mayor Vasil Terziev struck a similar note, warning: “There can be no democracy without free cities. There can be no freedom without the rule of law.”
