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76 mayors of the B40 Network write in support of Imamoglu and Veliaj: Concerned about their indefinite detention, violation of democracy

2026-01-28 09:04:16Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

The mayors of the member municipalities of the B40 Balkan Cities Network express their deep concern over the indefinite detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem ?mamo?lu and Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj. In a joint letter, the heads of the 76 municipalities call the indefinite detention of Imamo?lu and Veliaj a “dangerous trend” that threatens local democracy in the Balkans and beyond.

They demand an end to the detention measure against them: "Our clear call is to end the indefinite detention of Mayor Ekrem ?mamo?lu and Mayor Erion Veliaj, and to allow them to await legal proceedings in freedom, while simultaneously exercising the duties entrusted to them by the citizens they represent."

According to the signatories of the letter, the removal of elected officials from office without a final decision “is not justice” and undermines the will of the voters. They also refer to the October 2025 Report of the Venice Commission and the European Convention on Human Rights, emphasizing that the ban should be a measure of last resort and not a means of obstructing the mandate. B40 calls for transparent, proportional justice and respect for democratic mandates.

Below is the full letter from the B40 Balkan Cities Network:

Joint letter: Solidarity stance for Local Democracies and ending the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem ?mamo?lu and Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj

We, the undersigned mayors of the B40 Balkan Cities Network, the most important initiative of the Balkan region, established under the leadership of Mr. Ekrem ?mamo?lu, Mayor of Istanbul, express our deep concern regarding the emergence of a dangerous trend that threatens local democracy in the Balkans and the world.

Despite our different political affiliations, we are united in raising the alarm about the indefinite detention of the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem ?mamo?lu, founding President of the B40 Network, the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, the third President of the B40 Network, as well as other mayors. Removing democratically elected officials from office without a final decision is not justice. It undermines the will of voters and poses direct threats to local democracies.

The October 2025 report of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe explicitly warns that the use of pre-trial detention against sitting mayors poses a serious threat to democratic governance. When applied indefinitely, such detention effectively deprives citizens of representation, removing their elected representatives without due process of law.

According to the European Convention on Human Rights, detention should remain a measure of last resort, not a means to prevent the exercise of a mandate for political reasons. When an elected mayor is detained without bail or trial, citizens are left without representation, which erodes public trust and institutional legitimacy.

It is clear that the detention and judicial proceedings related to Mayor Ekrem ?mamo?lu and Mayor Erion Veliaj do not comply with the principles and standards enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and articulated in the October 2025 Report of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.

We emphasize what we are not seeking. We are not seeking immunity, nor are we commenting on the substance of the charges or on guilt or innocence. Our appeal is limited, principled, and fully in line with European standards.

Our clear call is to end the indefinite detention of Mayor Ekrem ?mamo?lu and Mayor Erion Veliaj, as well as other detained mayors, and to allow them to await legal proceedings in freedom, while simultaneously exercising the duties entrusted to them by the citizens they represent.

Justice must be transparent, proportional and respectful of democratic choice. Therefore, we call on all relevant authorities to implement these principles and protect local democracy.

We, the undersigned mayors of the B40 Balkan Cities Network, call on all relevant authorities to ensure the restoration of democratic mandates and the consistent implementation of European norms in all cases involving local elected officials.

76 mayors of the B40 Network write in support of Imamoglu and Veliaj: Concerned


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