The city of Paris has granted honorary citizenship to Ekrem İmamoğlu, the detained mayor of Istanbul. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo praised the decision, saying, “İmamoğlu’s ability to represent his party and serve as the voice of millions of Turkish citizens has been unjustly hindered”. Hidalgo stressed that İmamoğlu, who has been deprived of his freedom and fundamental rights, should be able to count on the full support of Paris.
Speaking to the Paris City Council, Hidalgo expressed the hope that this support would encourage the Turkish authorities to listen to the voice of democratic reason. The move follows a wider European call for the release of İmamoğlu, who was detained on “terrorism” and “corruption” charges and subsequently removed from office. İmamoğlu was arrested on 19 March and has been detained ever since, sparking international criticism.
Hidalgo, who was among the European mayors calling for İmamoğlu’s release, reiterated the need for European involvement in securing the rights of imprisoned local politicians. The Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities had earlier issued a statement condemning İmamoğlu’s imprisonment and calling for his immediate release, along with other imprisoned local leaders, in accordance with European human rights standards.
