Europe Criticizes Turkey Over İmamoğlu Case… A Key Condition for EU Membership

24 March 2025, 10:39 AM

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Jwslubbock, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The European Commission has called on Turkish authorities to respect democratic values, according to an official statement regarding the arrest of Istanbul Mayor and opposition CHP candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, as well as the protests that followed in major cities across Turkey. Security forces responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators, while around 400 people were arrested nationwide.

European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier stated: “We want Turkey to remain anchored in Europe, but this requires a clear commitment to democratic standards and practices.”

Widespread protests have erupted in 12 major cities, including Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city, especially after a Turkish court sentenced İmamoğlu to prison during his trial on corruption-related charges.