The Financial Times on April 16 published an op-ed headlined “Why Turkey’s democratic future matters for the world”, written by Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested and jailed last month.

“Turkey remains a key player in global trade, security and diplomacy. Our direction matters — not just to us, but to the stability of the international order,” noted Imamoglu, the politician seen as the chief political challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with most pundits convinced Imamoglu would take the presidency from Erdogan in a fair contest.

Here are some excerpts from Imamoglu's piece:

• "[U]nder [President] Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 22-year rule... [Turkey’s] Democratic institutions have eroded, dissent has been criminalised, and the judiciary has been weaponised."
• "I am writing these words from a cell in Silivri Prison, where many other elected officials, academics, journalists and activists are also held."
• "I have been imprisoned on the basis of vague hearsay from a handful of so-called 'confidential witnesses'. There is no conviction against me. I am a political prisoner."
• "For more than two centuries, the Turkish people have fought for constitutionalism, civic representation and justice — disproving the myth that authoritarianism is Turkey’s natural condition."
• "Democratic solidarity around the world is now essential to building our shared future. The global wave of democratic backsliding may have begun in Turkey. I believe the pushback will begin here, too."