The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is sending a fact-finding mission to Türkiye due to concerns over 'democratic backsliding' and the dismissal of elected mayors, including the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The Congress aims to address the issue of mayors being replaced by government-appointed trustees and restore democratic rights in Türkiye. A declaration was adopted calling for the release of detained mayors and condemning İmamoğlu's imprisonment as politically motivated. The Turkish government has not commented on the situation. Teljes cikk (Euronews.com)