Paris honors jailed Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu with honorary citizenship

The city of Paris has awarded honorary citizenship to Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, who was arrested on March 19 in Turkey. 

Mayor Anne Hidalgo called Paris “the capital of human rights” and expressed full support for Imamoglu, who she said is “unjustly prevented from representing his party and millions of Turkish citizens.”

The Paris City Council unanimously approved the motion, with Hidalgo stating that this symbolic gesture “will give strength to our friend and colleague, who embodies democratic values,” and may help "bring reason to the current Turkish leadership."

Imamoglu, seen as the main rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was recently confirmed as his party’s presidential candidate. European mayors, including those from Rome, Amsterdam, and Brussels, have also called for his release.