Nacho Sánchez Amor, the European Parliament’s rapporteur on EU-Turkey relations, has raised alarm over Turkey’s political trajectory after Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained alongside 105 others. The crackdown, which includes a four-day protest ban, has drawn strong international condemnation.
“Following with huge concern the news on Istanbul Mayor @ekrem_imamoglu’s detention among 100 people, along with a four-day ban on demonstrations. Again, as in all moves of the last months, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Full speed towards a complete authoritarian state,” Sánchez Amor wrote on X.
İmamoğlu was arrested a day after Istanbul University annulled his diploma, obtained 35 years ago, sparking widespread backlash. Amor had also criticised this move, viewing it as a politically motivated effort to prevent İmamoğlu from running for president.
Following with huge concern the news on Istanbul Mayor @ekrem_imamoglu‘s detention among 100 people along with a 4-day ban on demonstrations. Again, as in all moves of last months, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Full speed towards a complete authoritarian state. pic.twitter.com/UePEz3HWyj
— Nacho Sánchez Amor (@NachoSAmor) March 19, 2025
“Turkish politics have an endless creativity. It seemed far-fetched, but now it’s real. Istanbul University has revoked the diploma of @ekrem_imamoglu that it conceded 35 years ago, in what can only be seen as a politically driven manoeuvre to impede his presidential candidacy. Sad.”
The developments have sparked international concerns over Turkey’s democratic backsliding. EU officials and rights groups have frequently criticised President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government for undermining opposition figures through legal manoeuvres.
The detention of İmamoğlu, coupled with the recent political targeting of opposition figures and the judiciary’s increasing alignment with the ruling party, has raised fears of an electoral crackdown ahead of future national elections.
Turkish politics have an endless creativity. It seemed far fetched but now it’s real. Istanbul University has revoked the diploma of @ekrem_imamoglu that it conceded 35 years ago in what can only be seen as a politically driven manoeuvre to impede his presidential candidacy. Sad.
— Nacho Sánchez Amor (@NachoSAmor) March 18, 2025
İmamoğlu’s legal challenges, from charges of insulting election officials to his diploma annulment and now his arrest, have drawn comparisons to previous cases where opposition politicians were sidelined through court rulings.
Amor’s remarks signal that EU-Turkey relations may face further strain. The European Parliament has long voiced concerns over Turkey’s democratic decline, warning that continued repression could further stall Ankara’s EU accession talks.
