FLASH
Shkruar nga Dilek Imamoglu*
The wife of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul who arrested Erdogan, has come out with a public reaction to what is happening to her husband. She is asking for support from everyone and vowing to resist Erdogan.
When my husband, Ekrem Imamoglu, was arrested in the early hours of March 19, millions of people across Turkey felt exactly like me: not just grief, but a strong sense of injustice and growing anger.
Under the current government's rule, spanning more than two decades, many Turks have been forced to confront these feelings as their country sinks deeper into authoritarianism.
I had sensed for days that something was coming. Ekrem — the man who liberated Istanbul from the control of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) in local elections in March 2019 and who has defeated it twice since — has long faced a relentless effort to remove him from public life. But in recent months the attacks have become more vicious.
As his wife and companion in the fight for justice, I have stood steadfastly by Ekrem's side through every smear campaign, every fabricated case, and every crude attempt at character assassination.
His arrest came days before he was to be chosen as the candidate of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) for the upcoming presidential race. Now, Ekrem, the mayor of Istanbul, and his team, who have challenged an unjust, unequal, and illegitimate system, face baseless charges. The charges against him would be laughable if their intent were not so grave. A university degree earned 31 years ago was suddenly declared invalid, with the aim of disqualifying him from running for president.
Ekrem’s arrest and suspension from office were intended to intimidate him and the public. Instead, they have galvanized people across Turkey. Across provinces, regardless of age, background or gender, millions see this moment as a turning point for the country’s democracy. Ekrem’s case now stands as a symbol of something larger – the collapse of the rule of law, the shrinking space for free expression and the growing divide between those who rule and those who feel their votes are worthless.
Turkey today faces converging crises in the economic, political, and institutional spheres. Inflation has eroded wages, driving millions into poverty. The education system is in shambles. Many of our best and brightest are leaving the country.
But in this bleak climate there is still hope: the CHP - founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - emerged from the 2024 local elections as the country's main party. The message from voters was: enough, enough.
Ekrem has become a symbol of the change that Turkey so desperately needs, and he is widely considered its driving force. Whether behind a desk or behind bars, he is not alone. In the CHP's open elections, more than 15 million people supported him as the party's presidential candidate. He represents millions of citizens who want to be governed fairly and who still believe in the founding premise of our republic: that sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the people. This will has not been broken, despite bans, arrests and threats.
I, as his wife and as a citizen, will not give up. I draw my strength and courage from women across Turkey – mothers, professionals, students, youth, workers who have persevered. I believe in a country that we can rebuild, based not on fear, but on democracy, the rule of law, equality and coexistence.
The road ahead is difficult - both for my country and for my family. However, those who believe that imprisoning individuals will silence ideas are mistaken. Justice cannot be outlawed. Conscience cannot be suppressed.
This country has gone through dark times and will emerge from this one too, with its democratic will intact. We owe this not only to the founders of the republic, but also to people of all ages and walks of life who have taken to the streets to demonstrate their desire for a better future. /Adapted from “Pamphlet” by “The Economist”
*Dilek Imamoglu, the wife of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, has played a prominent role in the protests and rallies held since his arrest.
Lini një Përgjigje