EU Rapporteur: İmamoğlu's Cases Coinciding with NATO Summit Not Accidental

European Parliament Rapporteur Nacho Sánchez Amor has voiced strong criticism regarding the state of judicial independence in Turkey, particularly in relation to the ongoing legal battles faced by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Amor described the scheduling of three separate court cases for İmamoğlu on the same day as Turkey hosted a NATO summit in Ankara as "not a coincidence."

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The fact that the same person had to defend himself in three separate cases on the same day, while the NATO Summit was being held in Ankara today, is not a coincidence.

Speaking to reporters after observing İmamoğlu's hearings, Amor emphasized that the European Parliament's role as Turkey rapporteur involves monitoring the country's accession process and democratic standards, given its status as an EU candidate. He expressed disappointment, stating, "We did not want to think that the situation could get worse. However, the ruling party's imagination always manages to exceed the limits."

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We did not want to think that the situation could get worse. However, the ruling party's imagination always manages to exceed the limits.

Amor specifically targeted Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, a former Chief Public Prosecutor in Istanbul, questioning the legitimacy of his appointment. "The appointment of Akın Gürlek, the former Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul and current Minister of Justice, means what it means. Akın Gürlek cannot be part of any democratic reform because he was used as a political tool in the process of removing Ekrem İmamoğlu from political competition," Amor asserted. He accused the ruling AK Party of attempting to achieve through the judiciary what they could not accomplish in elections.

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The appointment of Akın Gürlek, the former Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul and current Minister of Justice, means what it means. Akın Gürlek cannot be part of any democratic reform because he was used as a political tool in the process of removing Ekrem İmamoğlu from political competition.

Adding to the international scrutiny, Icelandic MEP and Head of the Icelandic Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Dagur Eggertson, conveyed concerns from European cities, noting that organizations like Eurocities, the Pact of Free Cities, and the B40 Balkan Cities Network had issued a joint statement. Portuguese MEP Rui Tavares also drew parallels with Hungary's past struggles with democratic backsliding, suggesting that hope for change remains for Turkey, despite the current challenges.

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Many cities in Europe and the world are watching what is happening here today.