Statement on the political trial of Ekrem İmamoğlu

Following the record number of mayors who have been arrested, removed, or replaced in Türkiye, yesterday, before the eyes of the entire world, Ekrem İmamoğlu was once again denied his lawful rights.

In the trial that, by a curious coincidence, started during the NATO Summit in Ankara, İmamoğlu was asked to answer 142 separate charges carrying a combined sentencing demand of 2,352 years, in six to seven hours.

Also, İmamoğlu was prevented from hearing the testimony of his principal co defendant, which violated his right to be present in his own trial.

Interestingly enough, the prosecution has not displayed a single piece of evidence, while the defense faced strict time limits.

Taking into account that İmamoğlu’s party, during the months of his detention, has been raided and its leadership has been targeted through the courts,

it is clearly a case of lawfare. An example of how democracy cannot exist only on paper, and justice should act independently and impartially.

As Socialist International, we express our full solidarity with Ekrem İmamoğlu, and, as declared by Nacho Sánchez Amor, the EU Parliament rapporteur on Türkiye, we strongly denounce the violation of Ekrem İmamoğlu’s right to defense and a fair trial.