The United States has expressed its disappointment over the conviction of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in a politically charged trial, saying the mayor’s conviction is inconsistent with respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
Ned Price, the Department of State spokesperson, said in a press statement on Thursday that the US is deeply troubled and disappointed by the Turkish court’s verdict for İstanbul Mayor İmamoğlu.
İmamoğlu, from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and a key opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was sentenced to two years, seven months in prison and barred him from politics for allegedly insulting members of Turkey’s Supreme Election Board (YSK).
The sentence and the political ban must be upheld by an appeals court after a petition is filed.
The sentence drew harsh criticism from high-level officials in Europe and the US as well as from prominent rights groups.
“His conviction is inconsistent with respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. We remain gravely concerned by the continued judicial harassment of civil society, media, political and business leaders in Turkey, including through prolonged pretrial detention, overly broad claims of support for terrorism, and criminal insult cases,” Price said in his statement.
Criminal insult cases are a daily occurrence in Turkey, with thousands of people facing insult charges on the grounds that they insulted the president, government or public officials. Even the slightest criticism is considered insult, which further cripples the freedom of speech in the country.
Price said in his statement that the people of Turkey deserve the ability to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms without fear of retribution.
“The right to exercise the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association is enshrined in Turkey’s constitution, its international law obligations, and its OSCE commitments. We urge the government to cease prosecutions under criminal ‘insult’ laws, and to respect the rights and freedoms of all Turkish citizens, including by ensuring an open environment for public debate,” he said.
Turkey, which has a poor record on freedom of speech, was classified as “not free” by Freedom House in its “Freedom in the World 2022” index.