Imamoglu Responds to Criticism over "Makarios Statue"

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has responded to criticism regarding a monument for Cyprus, which includes a relief of Makarios. In a post on social media, Imamoglu described the claims as a "distortion of reality" and aimed at defaming him.

Turkish Cypriot media report that the monument was chosen by the Denktas family and presents a composition with Turkish soldiers, Turkish Cypriot fighters, and Rauf Denktas. The inclusion of Makarios, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, in a scene depicting the Zurich and London Agreements of 1959, sparked public debate.

Imamoglu argued that the monument symbolizes the "peace operation in Cyprus and the struggle of the Turkish side." He also stated that the legal proceedings against him are politically motivated and aim to prevent his candidacy in the presidential elections against Tayyip Erdogan.

Similar claims had been made in the 2019 local elections, with Imamoglu stressing that he had explained what the monument was about back then.

Source: ΚΥΠΕ