‘No’ to the request of European mayors to visit Imamoglou In her prisons Silvria, where it is being held, the Turkish Ministry of Justice said.
The Mayors of the Networks Eurocities of the European and the Balkan Cities Network B40, including the Mayor of Athens Harry Doukas, They went to Constantinople to express their solidarity with Imamoglou and award the “Special Prize for the Republic”. After the “block” of the authorities on the visit, his wife received the award, Dilek.
I would like to thank the Eurocities and B40 Balkan Cities Network delegation representing the leading cities of Europe for their support and visits throughout the process. The interest, solidarity and democratic sensitivity shown in such a challenging period, not only us, but in Türkiye and… pic.twitter.com/50LVDEmofy
– Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu (@dk_imamoglu) August 28, 2025
For his part, Imamoglu sent a message from prison, arguing: “This award belongs to all citizens who are struggling for justice and freedom in Turkey and around the world and do not succumb to authoritarian pressure.”
“We stand by Imamoglou’s side”
Following the ban, the delegation of the seven mayors, who had moved to Turkey, gathered in front of the Silibria prisons.
“Democracy is not imprisoned. We are here to confirm our solidarity with Ekrem Imoglou. This is not only a sign of support for his face, but also an attitude in favor of democracy, against authoritarianism. We stand on the side of Imamoglou, on the side of the people of Turkey .. Together, we must continue to fight to keep hope alive and protect the values that unite us all, “said his part. Harris Doukas.
‘Common voice to defend fundamental rights’
The Eurocities Network has a clear duty to support the local Republic, the Network Vice President and Mayor of Barcelona said We are zooming in a colm, found in front of prisons.
“As mayors, we know that we are at the forefront. We produce specific solutions to real problems and, doing all this, we prove that democracy can work, “he said, recalling that more than 80 mayors signed the statement condemning the arrest of Imoglou. “We remind you with emphasis that European mayors speak with one voice. We all raise this common voice together to defend fundamental rights and democratic values, “he said.
Its mayor Sofia and president of Network B40, Vasil Terziev, He said: “The walls and doors of these prisons are not only imprisoned by one human being, but also the will of millions of citizens who democratically elected their mayors in Constantinople.”
In addition to the Mayor of Athens and the mayors of Barcelona and Sofia, the mayors of the European delegation participated in the European delegation. Zagreb, her Utrecht, her Budapest and her Honor and senior officials of the Municipal Authorities of Paris and Madrid. The visit was organized by the European Network of Eurocities, consisting of more than 200 cities in 38 countries.