Socialist International statement on sentence of Ekrem Imamoglu in Turkey

Socialist International learns with grave concern the latest court decision on Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu, the elected Mayor of İstanbul, Turkey, and member of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) over political remarks made after his election in 2019.

We are extremely concerned as the latest court decision will effectively bar Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu from political office for the duration of his sentence of two years, seven months and 15 days and forces him to leave his post as mayor of Istanbul. This development puts the democratic processes in Turkey further in danger, particularly at a time when the country will have general and presidential elections in 2023.

We hereby call on the Judiciary of Turkey specifically the Appeals Court which will have to uphold this decision before it can be enforced to demonstrate its commitment to justice, rule of law and judicial independence.

Socialist International is also by this statement calling on the Turkish Government to ensure the rule of law and safeguard multiparty democracy in Turkey.

We express our solidarity with Mr. İmamoğlu and our member party CHP as we await the fair, just and independent adjudication of the Appeal of the sentence.

In Solidarity; For Progress