A message from Silivri Prison, where he has been detained since March 19, was sent by Ekrem Imamoglu, Mayor of Istanbul, to Giorgos Papandreou and the participants of the 27th Symposium of Symi, which is taking place in Skiathos from 13 to 17 July.

Imamoglu, noting that due to his imprisonment by the Erdogan regime, he is unable to participate in this year’s Symi Symposium, stresses through his message that apart from the fact that his social media accounts have been suspended, he has also been denied access to visitors, people who want to visit him in prison.

“George, when you came to Turkey and asked to visit me in Silivri, you were denied. But you didn’t stop there. You went to Ankara, met with the chairman of my party, Mr Özgür Özel, and stood – as you always do – on the side of democratic values when it matters. This kind of solidarity matters far beyond politics. It signifies moral clarity and courage in times of confusion,” Ekrem Imamoglu said in his message, adding that: “when far-right populist rhetoric tries to present itself as an alternative to democracy, let us be clear: it is not democracy that is failing”. It is those who abandon justice, mock democracy and undermine peace who fragment the world order. “When governments put loyalty to the person over law, violence over dialogue and control over consensus, they not only erode democracy at home – they destabilize the international community as well.”

The text of Ekrem Imamoglu’s letter to the Symposium reads as follows:

“Dear George, Dear friends, It has always been my wish to participate in the Symi Symposium – an initiative where democratic voices come together with honesty and collective purpose. George, you kindly invite me every year. Unfortunately, this year I am not with you on the island, but I am addressing you from a prison cell, where I have been held since March 19 – not because I broke any law, but because I represented the democratic will of the people of Istanbul and Turkey. That will is clear: the demand for justice, for pluralism and democratic change. My imprisonment is an attack on people’s right to shape their future. For this very reason, since March, citizens across Turkey have taken to the streets. They have raised their voices, peacefully but with determination, against this injustice. However, attempts to silence me continue: my social media accounts have been suspended, guest access has been denied.

George, when you came to Turkey and asked to visit me in Silivri, you were denied. But you didn’t stop there. You went to Ankara, met with the chairman of my party, Mr Özgür Özel, and stood – as you always do – on the side of democratic values when it really matters. This kind of solidarity matters far beyond politics. It signifies moral clarity and courage in times of confusion. Dear comrades, As you gather to reflect on how we can reinvigorate democracy and reinvent governance in a fragmented world, I propose that we begin with the most fundamental foundation: justice. No democratic system can thrive when justice is weaponized. No model of governance can inspire trust without transparency – not just at the local level, but in every institution, from town halls to parliaments to courts. In this fragmented world, where far-right populist rhetoric tries to present itself as an alternative to democracy, let’s be clear: it is not democracy that is failing. It is those who abandon justice, mock democracy and undermine peace who are fragmenting the world order. When governments put loyalty to the person over law, violence over dialogue, and control over consensus, they not only erode democracy at home – they destabilize the international community. We wake up almost every day to a new crisis. In most cases, it is not chaos but a deliberate strategy.

They are the consequences of authoritarian regimes whose thirst for control and survival leads them to produce polarization, conflict and war – both against their own peoples and across borders. History teaches us that authoritarianism can be deafening, but it is never permanent. And in this age, we must choose: will we avert our eyes or stand up to those who rule in fear? Better days will come – as long as we remain true to our shared values and are not afraid to defend them.”