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On the second day of protests outside Istanbul’s city hall, mayors from several European Union cities have united in support of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul who was arrested earlier this week. They shared a powerful message of solidarity through an Instagram video, each declaring, "We stand with İmamoğlu," as the protests against his arrest continue to grow.
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İmamoğlu, a prominent political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was taken into custody on Wednesday following accusations of corruption and alleged ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). He stands accused of exploiting his position for financial gain, including allegations of improperly allocating government contracts, as well as forming alliances with Kurdish groups during Istanbul’s municipal elections.
The mayor’s arrest has sparked widespread protests, with thousands of people gathering outside Istanbul’s city hall for a second consecutive night. Many believe this is a politically driven attempt to eliminate İmamoğlu as a potential challenger to Erdoğan in the upcoming presidential race.
In a strong display of international support, the EU mayors’ video post has become a symbol of solidarity for İmamoğlu, as well as a call for political freedom and democracy in Turkey. The message from European leaders highlights the significance of the case, which many see as about much more than corruption charges—it’s about preventing a serious challenge to Erdoğan’s power.
As the protests continue to gain momentum, the situation remains tense, with İmamoğlu’s supporters demanding his immediate release. All eyes will be on how this high-stakes political battle unfolds in the days to come.
*With info from Euronews
