Eurocities condemns new arrests in the last week of democratically elected local politicians in Turkey, including Zeydan Karalar, President of the Turkish Association of Cities (Union of Municipalities of Türkiye) and Mayor of Adana; Muhittin Böcek, Mayor of Antalya; and Abdurrahman Tutdere, Mayor of Adıyaman. These arrests mark yet another worrying escalation in the systematic repression of opposition voices and local democracy in Turkey.
European city leaders have already expressed deep concern over the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and continue to stand in unwavering solidarity with their Turkish colleagues who face persecution for simply fulfilling their democratic mandates. The arrest of Mayor Karalar, following that previously of İmamoğlu among others, demonstrates a pattern of political suppression targeting mayors who represent an alternative to central government power.
“This latest wave of arrests sends a chilling message to all who believe in democratic governance,” says André Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities. “The imprisonment of Mayor Zeydan Karalar is not only a grave injustice – it is a calculated attempt to silence local leaders who embody democratic values and citizen representation. Eurocities stands firmly with our colleagues and members in Turkey.”
“Our cities represent inclusion, service, and accountability. We call on Turkish authorities to immediately release all arrested mayors and end the political persecution of elected local leaders. The voice of the people must be respected, and their representatives must be free to serve,” he added.
Eurocities’ Commitment to Democracy in Turkey
Eurocities has maintained a consistent and vocal position in defence of democratic principles and the autonomy of local governments in Turkey:
- In December 2022, a delegation of Eurocities mayors, including Sobczak, travelled to Istanbul in support of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu following his politically motivated sentencing. The event, Cities for Growth and Progress, underlined the vital role of cities in defending democratic values.
- In March 2025, more than 80 mayors across Europe condemned the arrest of İmamoğlu and other local officials, calling for their immediate release and for democratic freedoms to be restored.
- At the Eurocities Conference in June 2025, Mayor İmamoğlu was honoured in absentia, and his recorded message reaffirmed the power of cities to embody justice and civic courage.
- In August 2025, a high-level delegation of mayors will visit Istanbul to demonstrate solidarity and hope to visit Mayor İmamoğlu in prison.
