site.btaMayors of European Cities Honour Imprisoned Mayor of Istanbul with Democracy Award

A delegation of mayors of European cities, including Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev, honoured Ekrem Imamoglu, the detained mayor of Istanbul, with a Special Democracy Award during their visit to Istanbul, Halk TV reported on its website on Thursday.

The delegation was welcomed in the Sarachane quarter by acting Mayor of Istanbul Nuri Aslan, who expressed gratitude for the support.

Barcelona Mayor and Vice President of the Eurocities network, Jaume Collboni, presented the award to Imamoglu's wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, who read a declaration on behalf of her husband. The imprisoned mayor was thankful for the award. He stated that this reward belonged not to him solely but to everyone around the world who fights for justice and freedom while refusing to bow to authoritarian oppression.

His message read further: "We live in an era where children lose their lives in wars, innocent civilians are sacrificed in massacres, the press is silenced, opposition is targeted, and the judiciary is weaponized. Against this backdrop, we remind you that democracy is not a form of government, but the collective conscience of humanity."

Ekrem Imamoglu reported that even though he has been imprisoned for nearly half a year now, his resolve has only grown stronger during that period.

Later Thursday, the mayors gathered in front of Marmara Prison (formerly Silivri Prison) where they held signs calling for Imamoglu's freedom.