Berlin Parliament President Calls for Release of Istanbul's Mayor

In a recent parliamentary session, the President of the Berlin Parliament, Cornelia Seibeld, expressed deep concern over the detention of Ekrem Imamoglu, the Mayor of Istanbul, who has been imprisoned for over a week. Seibeld emphasized the need for his immediate release, stating that the circumstances surrounding Imamoglu's arrest demand urgent attention and transparency from an impartial judicial system.

Imamoglu, who is a prominent figure in advocating for transparency, citizen engagement, and modern urban development, was arrested shortly before he was set to run as a presidential candidate for his party. Seibeld pointed out that the timing of his arrest raises significant concerns about the state of democratic principles in Turkey, particularly as they relate to free elections and the independence of the judiciary.

During her remarks, Seibeld highlighted that fundamental democratic values--such as free elections, an independent judiciary, a pluralistic society, and the protection of human rights--are increasingly under threat in Turkey. She expressed solidarity with Imamoglu, stating that the allegations against him and his supporters must be handled with diligence and integrity.

Additionally, Seibeld announced that she and Berlin's governing mayor, Kai Wegner, have decided to cancel an upcoming trip to Istanbul, citing the impracticality of celebrating the Berlin-Istanbul partnership while Imamoglu, the democratically elected representative of Istanbul, remains incarcerated. She expressed hope that the planned visit could be rescheduled in the near future.

Imamoglu's arrest has drawn widespread attention, as he was taken into custody along with numerous associates and business leaders. Authorities have leveled accusations of corruption and terrorism against him, leading to his detention and the revocation of his mayoral position by the Interior Ministry.