{"id":33834,"date":"2026-03-06T01:19:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T01:19:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/33834\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T01:19:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T01:19:12","slug":"jailed-istanbul-mayor-imamoglu-receives-2026-pawel-adamowicz-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/33834\/","title":{"rendered":"Jailed \u0130stanbul Mayor \u0130mamo\u011flu receives 2026 Pawe\u0142 Adamowicz Award"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ekrem \u0130mamo\u011flu, \u0130stanbul\u2019s jailed mayor and a leading opposition figure in Turkey, was granted the 2026 Mayor Pawe\u0142 Adamowicz Award at a ceremony in Brussels on Thursday, with the prize accepted on his behalf by acting \u0130stanbul mayor Nuri Aslan, Turkish Minute<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n

The award, presented at the European Parliament building, recognizes public figures and activists who promote freedom, solidarity and equality in the spirit of the late Pawe\u0142 Adamowicz, the former mayor of Gda\u0144sk who was murdered in 2019 while carrying out his public duties.<\/p>\n

Organizers\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0\u0130mamo\u011flu was recognized for his unyielding defense of democracy, solidarity and the independence of local government facing autocratic tendencies and attempts at disqualification.<\/p>\n

\u0130mamo\u011flu, a leading figure in Turkey\u2019s main opposition Republican People\u2019s Party (CHP), has been in detention since March 2025 and was unable to attend the ceremony.<\/p>\n

Accepting the award on his behalf, Aslan read a message written by the jailed mayor.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday I am not among you although I very much wished to be,\u201d \u0130mamo\u011flu said in the statement read during the ceremony. \u201cBut the solidarity shown by you, friends who believe in democracy, is at least as valuable as this award.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u0130mamo\u011flu said pressure on elected municipal leaders ultimately targets voters themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cPressure directed at elected local administrators does not only target municipalities. Its main target is the will of the voters,\u201d he said, adding that democracy and human rights are values that belong to everyone.<\/p>\n

In the message, \u0130mamo\u011flu also called on European institutions to show solidarity during what he described as a difficult period for democracy in Turkey. \u201cTurkey\u2019s place is within the democratic European family,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u0130mamo\u011flu dedicated the award to citizens in Turkey who, he said, continue to defend democratic participation despite political pressure.<\/p>\n

In a message posted on X following the ceremony, \u0130mamo\u011flu, who is being held in Marmara Prison on the outskirts of \u0130stanbul, said it was a \u201cgreat honor\u201d to receive the award, describing it as \u201can unmistakable reminder that those of us fighting for democracy and the rule of law are never really alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDespair is not an option,\u201d the mayor added, saying he remained hopeful that \u201cour words will triumph over fear and our cities will truly serve as the people\u2019s home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Receiving the Pawe\u0142 Adamowicz Award from the European Committee of the Regions is a great honor. Acting Mayor Nuri Aslan accepted this recognition on my behalf.<\/p>\n

This award is an unmistakable reminder that those of us fighting for democracy and the rule of law are never really\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/kXNo34yaqY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ekrem \u0130mamo\u011flu (International) (@imamoglu_int) March 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

A video message from the mayor\u2019s wife, Dilek \u0130mamo\u011flu, was also shown during Thursday\u2019s ceremony. She said they would not grow accustomed to her husband\u2019s absence and called for justice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith this meaningful award you give to Ekrem today, the solidarity you express shows us that there are still people in the world who stand up for important values,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Magdalena Adamowicz, the widow of Pawe\u0142 Adamowicz, also addressed the ceremony and expressed support for \u0130mamo\u011flu.<\/p>\n

The Mayor Pawe\u0142 Adamowicz Award is jointly organized by the city of Gda\u0144sk, the European Committee of the Regions, of which Adamowicz was a member, and ICORN. The prize aims to send a message of solidarity to elected officials, public servants and citizens who work to uphold democracy at the local level despite risks.<\/p>\n

\u0130mamo\u011flu, one of Turkey\u2019s most prominent opposition politicians and the CHP\u2019s presidential candidate for the 2028 general election, has been in pretrial detention since March 2025 on charges that include corruption and \u201cpolitical espionage,\u201d accusations he and his party deny.<\/p>\n

His arrest came shortly after the CHP formally nominated him as its presidential candidate and triggered nationwide protests, with his party and rights groups describing the investigations targeting him as politically motivated. The CHP and \u0130mamo\u011flu say the investigations targeting the mayor are aimed at preventing him from running for the presidency.<\/p>\n

When the award was announced earlier this year, organizers\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0the recognition carried particular significance because \u0130mamo\u011flu was imprisoned \u201cfor standing up for democratic values and the will of the citizens he represents.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ceremony in Brussels took place as the anniversary of \u0130mamo\u011flu\u2019s arrest approaches. March 19 will mark one year since the \u0130stanbul mayor was detained and removed from office.<\/p>\n