European Parliament Calls to Halt Communications with Erdogan

German Member of the European Parliament Michael Gahler has urged to suspend the European Union's communications with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan until the release of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. “As long as İmamoğlu is in detention, we must suspend political communications between the EU and member states. This would significantly increase pressure on Erdogan,” Gahler stated to the German newspaper Bild.

At the same time, the politician noted that he does not advocate for a complete break in communications, as Turkey “continues to be an important partner for the EU” in migration, security, and in relation to the Ukrainian conflict. The politician also called for heightened communication with the Turkish opposition.

Media reports indicate that on March 23, Turkey's court made a decision to imprison Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is suspected of corruption. Meanwhile, a request for arrest regarding a second investigation into terrorism has been rejected. Several senior officials from the municipality were detained alongside İmamoğlu, and a total of more than 90 individuals are involved in the legal case. İmamoğlu may appeal the court's detention decision.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, for its part, intends to challenge the court's decision that rejected the arrest request for İmamoğlu in the terrorism case. A final decision can only be made by the Constitutional Court.