EU Delegation Visits Turkish Opposition Leader

A delegation from the European Union, including European Parliament Vice President Katarina Barley, visited imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu at Marmara Prison on Thursday. İmamoğlu, a prominent opposition figure and potential presidential candidate from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), was arrested on March 19 on charges of corruption and alleged ties to a terrorist organization.

The detention of İmamoğlu has drawn widespread criticism, with opponents calling it politically motivated. The Turkish government maintains that the judiciary operates independently.

International Condemnation and Solidarity

Following the visit, leaders from the Party of European Socialists (PES), including Barley, PES President Stefan Löfven, and Members of the European Parliament Dario Nardella and Evin İncir, issued a statement condemning İmamoğlu’s arrest.

"The PES is in Istanbul to stand with the Turkish democratic opposition in their call to President Erdoğan to stop the arrests and free political prisoners," the statement read.

A post on İmamoğlu’s official X account emphasized the significance of the visit:

"Their presence at this critical moment reflects a principled commitment to democratic norms, judicial independence, and fundamental rights. It also signals growing international concern over the erosion of democratic institutions in Türkiye. Suppressing political participation through judicial means contradicts the values upheld by democratic societies."

The delegation later met with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel at the party’s Istanbul headquarters.

Journalist Arrested Amid Press Freedom Concerns

Separately, Swedish journalist Joakim Medin was arrested in Turkey on charges of "membership in an armed terrorist organization" and "insulting the president." Medin had been covering protests against İmamoğlu’s detention before his arrest.

Andreas Gustavsson, editor-in-chief of Sweden’s Dagens ETC, confirmed that Medin had been unreachable for two days prior to his detention. Erik Larsson of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Sweden condemned the arrest, stating:

"Targeting journalists is unfortunately not new in Turkey, but tactics have shifted—authorities now silence dissent through legislation and internet censorship."

Lawyer Briefly Detained in Widening Crackdown

In a related development, Mehmet Pehlivan, a lawyer representing İmamoğlu, was detained overnight before being released on Friday. CHP lawmaker Turan Taskin Ozer called the arrest "fabricated," while Pehlivan’s attorney, Yigit Gokcehan Kocoglu, alleged the detention was a "warning" for defending the mayor.

Pehlivan was questioned about an unrelated money transfer and a charitable donation before being barred from leaving the country. His legal team plans to appeal the travel ban.

The arrests come amid escalating tensions over judicial independence and press freedom in Turkey, drawing increased scrutiny from international observers.