Eurocities and Balkan Cities Network (B40) present “Special Democracy Award” to Istanbul Mayor and CHP Presidential Candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu

Representing Europe’s leading cities, the mayors of Eurocities and the member cities of the Balkan Cities Network (B40) have granted the “Special Democracy Award” to Istanbul Mayort and CHP’s Presidential Candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested in an operation on March 19.

The award, received on İmamoğlu’s behalf by his wife, Dr. Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, carried a strong message from his cell in Silivri Prison:

“The ‘Special Democracy Award’ you have bestowed is not merely an honor given to me. This award belongs to all citizens in Turkey and around the world who resist authoritarian oppression and struggle for justice and freedom. Know this: my determination has not weakened, on the contrary, it has only grown stronger. I am reading, writing, reflecting on global developments, taking notes, and working on solutions. Even though iron bars separate us, I continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our citizens in the struggle for peace and democracy. As the elected Mayor of Istanbul and the elected Presidential Candidate of my party, I accept this award on behalf of my city resilient and ancient Istanbul and all the cities and democratic citizens who resist and fight for a better future.”

European Mayors Gather in Istanbul to Present the “Special Democracy Award” to Istanbul Mayor and CHP Presidential Candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu

Representing Europe’s leading cities, the mayors of Eurocities and the member cities of the Balkan Cities Network (B40) came to Istanbul to present the “Special Democracy Award” to Istanbul Mayor and CHP’s Presidential Candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been imprisoned following operations carried out on March 19.

The delegation included Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona (Spain) and Vice President of Eurocities; Vasil Terziev, Mayor of Sofia (Bulgaria) and President of the B40 Balkan Cities Network; Tomislav Tomasevič, Mayor of Zagreb (Croatia); Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens (Greece); Dominic Fritz, Mayor of Timișoara (Romania); Sharon Dijksma, Mayor of Utrecht (Netherlands); Gergely Szilveszter Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest (Hungary); Arnaud Ngatcha, Deputy Mayor of Paris (France); Jose Francisco Herrera Antonaya, Director General of International Relations for Madrid (Spain); and André Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities.

The delegation was hosted by Istanbul Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s main campus in Saraçhane. They were joined by CHP Deputy Chairs Gökan Zeybek, Suat Özçağdaş, and İlhan Uzgel, as well as Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Bozbey and Muğla Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras. Dr. Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu also met with the delegation ahead of the award ceremony on behalf of her husband.

Aslan: “The delegation’s request to meet with Mayor Ekrem in prison was unfortunately rejected by the Ministry of Justice”

Following the reception, a joint press conference was held. Aslan stated:

“Today in Istanbul, we are very pleased to host the joint delegation of Eurocities and the B40 Balkan Cities Network, founded under the leadership of our Istanbul Mayor and Presidential Candidate, Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu, here in Saraçhane.”

“We have just concluded a comprehensive meeting with the visiting delegation. We discussed with them the unfortunate developments for our country and our democracy, which culminated in the unjust imprisonment of Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19. From the very beginning, the mayors of Eurocities and B40 member cities have stood by our side. I would like to thank our European colleagues for the support they have extended to our struggle for democracy. This visit is the clearest expression of our solidarity. Unfortunately, the delegation’s request to meet with Mayor Ekrem in prison was rejected by the Ministry of Justice. Nevertheless, we will soon be going together to Silivri to once again show our support for our Mayor. Because what has kept our Mayor behind bars for more than five months is not a normal judicial process, but a political operation conducted in front of the entire world.”

“The unjust and unlawful cases brought against Mr. İmamoğlu have already been condemned in the conscience of the Turkish people”

“It must be underlined that the unjust and unlawful cases brought against Mr. İmamoğlu have already been condemned in the conscience of the Turkish people. Across Turkey, millions of our citizens have risen up with demands for freedom and democracy, standing firmly by their will. Since 2019, more than 90 investigations have been launched against Mr. İmamoğlu, resulting in prison sentences and political bans through unlawful processes such as the so-called ‘Insult Case.’ Just this year alone, nine waves of arrests have targeted our municipal administrators, colleagues, journalists, and even family members. Neither the pressures against Mr. İmamoğlu nor those against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality can deter us from our path. We will continue our struggle for democracy, justice, and freedom with the same determination. We trust in the will of the people. Our struggle for democracy, freedom, and justice will continue with even greater strength, both in Istanbul and throughout Turkey. I extend my gratitude to all our colleagues and friends who stand with us and who believe in democracy and justice.”

Collboni: “We stand united for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law”

Taking the floor after Aslan, Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona and Vice President of Eurocities, said:

“Today, here at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, we wish to convey our message of solidarity and show that we stand with our esteemed colleague, Mr. İmamoğlu. We also thank Ms. Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu for the courage she has demonstrated. This mission was initiated by Eurocities and Mayor of Ghent, Mathias De Clercq, who could not be with us today but expressed his strong wish to attend this meeting. Last June in Muğla, Mr. Aras extended an invitation to us in Baraga, and today we are here. As European mayors, we have come to Istanbul to demonstrate our solidarity with Mayor İmamoğlu. Cities are where real democracy takes shape where people’s dignity, equality, and public services are realized in their daily lives. That is why, as European mayors, we stand united for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu has reminded us powerfully that cities are where justice becomes tangible and visible. It is in our cities that we can achieve our common goals.”

İmamoğlu, from Silivri via Dilek İmamoğlu: “This award belongs to all citizens who resist authoritarian oppression and fight for justice and freedom in Turkey and around the world”

The “Special Democracy Award” presented to İmamoğlu was handed to Dr. Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu by Collboni. Upon receiving the award, Dr. İmamoğlu shared with the delegation and the public a message sent by her husband from his cell in Silivri Prison:

“Dear colleagues, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for deeming me worthy of this meaningful award. The ‘Special Democracy Award’ you have presented is not merely an honor bestowed upon me. This award belongs to all citizens in Turkey and across the world who resist authoritarian oppression and fight for justice and freedom. We live in an age where children are killed in wars, innocent civilians fall victim to massacres, the press is silenced, opposition voices are targeted, and the judiciary is turned into a weapon. Against this dark reality, we remind the world that democracy is not just a form of governance, but the common conscience of humanity. Cities are where both the challenges and the hopes for the future are felt most profoundly. They are also where the people’s demands, their longing for freedom, and their pursuit of justice are heard most directly. In Istanbul, we put this into practice through a participatory, green, fair, and democratic model of governance. We sought to expand what we call the ‘Istanbul Model’ to the entire country. The reason I am imprisoned today is precisely this aspiration for change this longing for a more democratic, fair, and prosperous country.”

“My determination has not weakened; on the contrary, it has only grown stronger”

“I have been in prison for more than five months. Yet know this: my determination has not weakened; on the contrary, it has only grown stronger. I am reading, writing, reflecting on what is happening in the world, taking notes, and working on solutions. Even though iron bars separate us, I continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our citizens in the struggle for peace and democracy. As the elected Mayor of Istanbul and the elected Presidential Candidate of my party, I accept this award on behalf of my city ancient and resilient Istanbul and on behalf of all cities and democratic citizens who resist and fight for a better future. I thank you for your visit to Istanbul and for your support, and I look forward to meeting again in days of freedom.”

After İmamoğlu’s message was read out, several guest mayors also shared their views with the public in Turkey, Europe, and around the world:

Sofia: “We are here to stand shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu”

Mayor of Sofia, Vasil Terziev, said:

“We are here to show that cities are the beating heart of democracy. As representatives directly elected by our people, we embody the practice of democracy itself. When mayors come under attack, it is not a personal assault, but an attack on the hopes of millions of people who believe in the path of democracy. Our presence in Istanbul today is to show that not only Mr. İmamoğlu, but none of us, can be silenced. We were elected by our people, and we are here to defend the values of democratic societies on their behalf. Though we come from different cultures and countries, we have fought with sacrifice and determination to establish democracy and the rule of law in our nations, to build strong institutions, and to secure independent legal and judicial systems. This struggle will never end. That is why we raise our voices for Mr. İmamoğlu and for the people of Turkey. Without free cities, there is no democracy. Without the rule of law, there is no freedom. This is why we are here to stand shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu, alongside the people of Turkey and its mayors. We will never give up this fight.”

Utrecht: “I call for the immediate release of Mr. İmamoğlu”

Mayor of Utrecht, Sharon Dijksma, said:

“Our city defines itself as a ‘city of human rights.’ I am also here representing the Association of Dutch Municipalities. We believe we are at a turning point in history. Across the world, authoritarian leaders are trying to strip away our democratic values. That is why we are here to demonstrate solidarity, to raise awareness, and to turn political pressures back against those who attempt to undermine these values. When Ekrem İmamoğlu was imprisoned, not only was a great and successful mayor put behind bars, but also a husband and a father. This is, in my view, a truly heartbreaking situation, and it must come to an end as soon as possible. Therefore, I call upon all those who hold power to ensure the immediate release of Mr. İmamoğlu.”

Athens: “We are here to keep our hope alive”

Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, said:

“Coming from Athens, the cradle of democracy, we are here to reaffirm our solidarity with Mr. İmamoğlu through our presence. We are here for the struggle for democracy. And we are here to keep our hope alive.”

Zagreb: “What we see in Turkey is this: only opposition mayors are imprisoned on corruption charges, and this raises serious questions”

Mayor of Zagreb, Tomislav Tomaseviç, said:

“Turkey is a beautiful and proud country. Istanbul is the largest city in Europe by population and one of the cradles of civilization. Ekrem İmamoğlu has been democratically elected three times to lead this great city. Four years ago, under the leadership of Mr. İmamoğlu, the B40 Network was founded to strengthen cooperation among Balkan cities and bring together cities in Southeastern Europe. It has been six months since Mr. İmamoğlu’s arrest. What we see in Turkey is this: only opposition mayors are being imprisoned on corruption charges, and this naturally raises some questions. For me, Ekrem is not only a colleague, but also a personal friend. On this occasion, I also want to commend Ms. Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu for the strength and support she has shown. Personally, I believe Mr. İmamoğlu is innocent. This belief comes from having met him many times, knowing him personally, and witnessing his reactions. All I can say is that he is an honest, principled, and courageous person someone who has always placed the public good above personal interests. Today, only a few European mayors may be present here. But as can be seen from the declaration signed by many European mayors, Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu is one of the most respected mayors across Europe. We stand by Mr. İmamoğlu with our full support and solidarity.”

Madrid: “With allegations that no one truly believes…”

On behalf of Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Director General of International Relations José Francisco Herrera Antonaya delivered remarks:

“Around the world, elected mayors and local governments face pressures from populist authoritarian leaders. We see that the situation here is no different. We witness how they are accused on personal motivations, arrested, subjected to judicial harassment, and through these methods, democratic institutions are fundamentally obstructed and silenced. The imprisonment of Ekrem İmamoğlu is, unfortunately, another example of this global trend. Being detained on allegations that no one truly believes allegations driven by political motivations is nothing more than an effort to undermine the democratic will of the people and to block his candidacy for the presidency.”