Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-002844/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Costas Mavrides (S&D)
Journalist and editor Şener Levent, a Cypriot citizen and recipient of the European Citizen’s Prize (2018) who lives in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus, received a ‘court notice’ to surrender for imprisonment in Türkiye. The Turkish court sentenced him in absentia to two and a half years in prison due to his articles’ criticism of the Erdoğan regime. The sentence has become final due to procedural limitations on appeal.
The charges – including public insult to Turkish institutions – reflect a clear attempt to silence any criticism of Ankara. The use of so-called ‘judicial assistance’ between Türkiye and its subordinate regime in the occupied part of EU territory, constitutes an alarming influx of political persecution into the EU.
- 1.What immediate steps will the Commission take, both to prevent the enforcement of a politically-motivated foreign prison sentence against a European citizen within EU territory, and to safeguard his fundamental rights, including freedom of expression?
- 2.Given Türkiye’s continuous disregard for human rights and EU principles, both domestically and through its proxy regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, does the Commission intend to take immediate and effective measures, including imposing sanctions, to prevent further abuse?
Submitted: 11.7.2025