Ekrem İmamoğlu’s imprisonment: EU Rapporteur Condemns Trial
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The political landscape of Turkey and its relations with the European Union reached a new point of friction on March 19, 2026. Nacho Sánchez Amor, the European Parliament (EP) Rapporteur for Turkey, issued a scathing statement marking the first full year of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s imprisonment. Amor’s intervention highlights a deepening concern in Brussels regarding the rule of law and the perceived interference with democratic mandates in Turkey’s largest city.
Ekrem İmamoğlu’s imprisonment: The “Battle for the Rule of Law”
In a statement released via social media and shared by the Anka News Agency, Amor framed the imprisonment of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor as a symbolic struggle. He asserted that the past twelve months have not only stripped İmamoğlu of his personal freedom but have effectively “deprived Istanbul of its elected leader.”
Amor described the situation as a manifestation of the global struggle between the “rule of law” and “rule by force,” placing Turkey at the center of this democratic crisis.
The Rapporteur’s comments emphasize that the removal of an elected official through judicial means is viewed by EU institutions as a direct intervention against the will of the millions of voters who cast their ballots in the Istanbul local elections.
A Call for European Intervention
The EP Rapporteur made a direct appeal to European Union leadership, insisting that the bloc cannot remain a passive observer. “The European Union must not remain silent on Ekrem İmamoğlu’s imprisonment decision, and the European Parliament will not,” Amor stated, concluding with the firm assertion that “Mr. Ekrem should not be in prison.”
This call for action comes amid ongoing rallies at Saraçhane Square, where supporters and political allies, including CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, have gathered to question why their mayors remain detained despite the current state of their indictments. The “Saraçhane Mitingi” serves as a domestic echo to Amor’s international pressure, showcasing a unified front against the current judicial proceedings.
Geopolitical Implications for Turkey-EU Ties
The imprisonment of Ekrem İmamoğlu continues to be a significant “red line” for Turkey’s EU accession talks and customs union modernization efforts in 2026. Diplomatic analysts suggest that as long as the Mayor remains behind bars, the European Parliament is unlikely to approve any favorable trade or visa liberalization agreements. Amor’s statement signals that the EP intends to keep this issue at the top of the agenda in every high-level meeting between Brussels and Ankara throughout the coming year.
