The arrest of the Istanbul mayor by Turkish authorities is “deeply worrying,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

During a press conference in Brussels, the Commission president was asked about the arrest of the Istanbul mayor. “We find the arrest of the mayor deeply worrying. As a member of the Council of Europe and as a candidate for EU membership, Turkey must uphold democratic values, in particular the rights of elected officials. So we want Turkey to remain committed to Europe, but this requires a clear commitment to democratic norms and practices, and it is essential that Turkey respects these fundamental principles,” said Ursula von der Leyen.