Turkish FM accuses EU selective with condemnation of political persecution

2025-04-21 04:18:38

(MENAFN) Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has accused the European Union of selectively condemning political persecution, criticizing its silence on certain cases while being vocal on others that align with its political stance. Speaking on Sunday, as reported by Hurriyet, Fidan pointed to the EU's lack of response to the arrest of Yevgenia Gutsul, the elected governor of Moldova’s autonomous Gagauzia region.

Gutsul was detained last month over alleged irregularities during her 2023 election campaign. She has denounced the charges as politically motivated, claiming the central government in Chisinau is targeting her and the region in retaliation for their opposition support. Her arrest has sparked protests across Gagauzia, where many view it as a violation of regional autonomy.

Fidan contrasted the EU's silence on Gutsul’s case with its strong reaction to the imprisonment of Istanbul’s former mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival to President Erdogan. He also referenced other examples, including France’s sentencing of right-wing politician Marine Le Pen for embezzlement and Romania’s political ban on presidential candidate Calin Georgescu following annulled election results.

“In France, a party leader was jailed—was there any criticism? No. In Romania, a winning candidate was banned before a runoff—any condemnation? No. In Moldova, you jailed a democratically elected regional leader—still no comment,” Fidan said. “But when it happens in Turkey, the EU immediately condemns it.”

Fidan argued that such inconsistency reveals a clear double standard and undermines the EU’s credibility. “When I highlight these examples, they go quiet,” he added. “If you won’t apply the same standard to all, I can’t take your criticism seriously.”

The EU has not commented publicly on the situations in Moldova, France, or Romania. However, it has openly criticized Imamoglu’s detention, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling it “deeply concerning,” and an EU delegation even visiting him in prison.

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