Czechia strongly condemns the violence against peaceful demonstrators, journalists and opposition representatives. The detention and arrest of an elected official and the main representative of the opposition, following the announcement of his intention to run for the presidency of the country, raises doubts as to whether Türkiye continues to uphold its long-established democratic traditions. This act is contrary to the fundamental principles of the rule of law, as it severely restricts the scope for the exercise of fundamental freedoms and weakens political pluralism.

As an EU candidate country and a long-standing member of the Council of Europe, Türkiye is expected to uphold the highest democratic standards, including freedom of assembly and freedom of the media. Czechia stresses the importance of a fair and transparent judicial process in line with all international standards.