SPD Stands Firm with Behind-Bars Opposition Leader İmamoğlu
Police department publicly supports jailed Turkish political leader İmamoğlu - Police force SPD expresses support for jailed Turkish political head Imamoglu
Vice Chancellor and SPD leader Lars Klingbeil lambasted the Turkish administration's actions following the imprisonment of Ekrem İmamoğlu, a critical opposition figure in Turkey and President Erdoğan's rumored challenger in the 2028 presidential election. Klingbeil described the situation as a "direct attack on democracy", especially with İmamoğlu serving as a candidate for the Republican People's Party (CHP) in recent polls.
Taking a stand in solidarity, the SPD plans to beef up its existing cooperation with the CHP, hoping to reach a consensus on various key matters. Özgür Özel, a guest speaker from the CHP, appreciatively acknowledged the SPD's backing during a recent speech.
Ózel brought attention to the timing of İmamoğlu's imprisonment, as it coincided with his nomination as the CHP's presidential candidate. Notably, the Turkish government has since intensified its crackdown on the opposition.
In his remarks, Ózel issued a stark warning, asserting, "We are witnessing one of the hardest attacks on democracy in our country's history." Despite this, Ózel expressed hope in the resilience of the people, stating, "We will continue fighting until the end."
Özel's talk also highlighted his commitment to a democratic Turkey aligned with Europe, adhering to the rule of law, and aiming to become a full EU member, reiterating the importance of international partnerships.
- SPD
- Ekrem İmamoğlu
- Opposition Leader
- Turkey
- Özgür Özel
- Release
- Solidarity
- Lars Klingbeil
- Berlin
- Democrats
- Leader
Behind the Scenes:
- İmamoğlu is currently serving time with heavy sentences and pending political bans, according to ongoing cases against him and the CHP.
- His lead defense lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, was recently detained in a move seen as retaliatory and detrimental to fair trial rights.
- Human rights groups have expressed grave concerns about these actions, with Pehlivan's detention based on politically motivated witness statements and suggesting judicial independence issues in Turkey.
- Besides the SPD, other international actors are voicing support for opposition figures in Turkey, seeking democratic principles and advocating for fair treatment amid growing concerns about authoritarian rule and human rights abuses.
Sources:
[1] Amnesty International (2025). "Turkey: 'Decades of Years' Added to Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's Prison Sentence." Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/06/turkey-decades-of-years-added-to-istanbul-mayor-ekrem-imamoğlu-prison-sentence/
[2] Human Rights Watch (2025). "Turkey: Deteriorating Rule of Law." Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/turkey
[3] The Guardian (2025). "Ekrem İmamoğlu: the Turkish politician who dares to challenge Erdoğan." Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/01/ekrem-imamoğlu-the-turkish-politician-who-dares-to-challenge-erdogan
[4] CNN (2025). "Turkey's Erdoğan says 'there will be no war' with Europe, but tensions remain." Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/20/europe/turkey-erdogan-war-europe-intl/index.html
- The SPD, led by Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, has criticized the imprisonment of Ekrem İmamoğlu, a crucial opposition figure in Turkey, as a direct attack on democracy.
- To show solidarity with the Republican People's Party (CHP) and İmamoğlu, the SPD plans to strengthen its cooperation with them, aiming to find consensus on key policy-and-legislation matters.
- In a conversation about the current political situation in Turkey, Özgür Özel, a guest speaker from CHP, expressed his hope for a democratic Turkey aligned with Europe, prioritizing the rule of law and striving to become a full EU member, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships.
