BRUSSELS (BELGIUM) (ITALPRESS) — The arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, and those of the citizens who participated in the protests that followed “raise questions” about Turkey’s adherence to its long democratic tradition.
This was stated by European Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier at today’s press briefing. Turkey, the spokesman added, must uphold democratic values as a state that is a member of the Council of Europe and is on a path toward EU membership.
Istanbul Mayor and opposition Republican People’s Party (Chp) member Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested March 18 along with some officials in his office. The arrest prompted mass protests that have filled the squares of Istanbul and other cities across the country for days. Yesterday, the Istanbul court confirmed the pre-trial detention measure in prison for Imamoglu, who has since been suspended from his post as the first citizen. The charges for Imamoglu are corruption and supporting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey has declared a terrorist organization.
Ten journalists, who covered the protests that broke out after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, were arrested by Turkish authorities. This was reported by the Cumhuriyet website, pointing out that the Turkish Journalists’ Association (Tcg) issued a note protesting the incident.
The association reiterates the public’s right to receive news, adding that “in democratic countries” institutions have a responsibility to ensure the life and job security of journalists. “In our country, on the contrary, representatives of institutions act contrary to their founding laws and constantly threaten the life and job security of journalists,” the note adds.
The primaries held yesterday by the Republican People’s Party (Chp) officially designated Ekrem Imamoglu as Turkey’s 2028 presidential candidate. Imamoglu, former mayor of Istanbul, was arrested last March 18 for corruption and ties to the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK). According to primary results proclaimed today, Imamoglu received 15 million votes.
“Imamoglu’s party’s concept of democracy cannot go beyond comedy.” This was stated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, commenting on the results of the Republican People’s Party (Chp) primaries, which officially designated Ekrem Imamoglu as Turkey’s 2028 presidential candidate.
Imamoglu, former mayor of Istanbul, was arrested last March 18 for corruption and ties to the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK). The arrest was followed by protests in major cities across the country. “The main opposition leader and his entourage are solely responsible for the injury of police officers that occurred during vandal attacks that also destroyed store windows and public property,” Erdogan said in a speech broadcast on Turkish television.
Earlier in the day yesterday, the Istanbul court upheld the pre-trial detention measure in prison for Imamoglu, who has since been suspended from his position as mayor. The charges for Imamoglu are corruption and “supporting the Pkk terrorist organization.”
-Photo IPA/Agency-
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