Wed 02 April 2025:
France’s statements on Türkiye following the arrest on corruption charges on its Istanbul mayor, are a clear sign of double standards, the spokesperson of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) said on Monday after French opposition chair Marine Le Pen was sentenced to a five-year ban on running for office.
“This is without doubt a double standard,” Çelik told A Haber news channel. “Corruption investigations within the European Union are led in a highly serious manner, however, for some reason, while there is high sensitivity on these investigations within the EU, there is a wholesale and critical approach against non-EU countries.”
Çelik’s words came after French President Emmanuel Macron last week criticized “attacks” on the foundations of democracy in Türkiye, calling them “reprehensible.” He described the events as “systematic persecution of opposition figures and civil society.”
Meanwhile, Macron’s main challenger, Le Pen, was convicted over a scheme to take advantage of European Parliament expenses to employ assistants who were actually working for her far-right party in France.
Le Pen as well as the other officials from her party, were banned from running for office, with the judge specifying that the sanction should come into force with immediate effect even if an appeal is lodged.
“This (charges on Le Pen) is important because her party was getting stronger in recent years and Le Pen was Macron’s biggest rival. But with the corruption investigation she received a politics ban. There have been several similar examples in French politics in the past,” Çelik said, giving examples of previous politicians being tried, including Nicolas Sarkozy.
“The statements of Macron and the others are an often-used template against Türkiye. For Macron, the contradiction is that when there is an investigation on corruption in France this is deemed as principled and protecting democracy. Yet, when the same takes place in a non-EU country, this is perceived as lacking democracy,” Çelik highlighted.
There is also criticism by the EU on the independence of courts, Çelik reiterated, and added: “Then we tell them to open the chapters on law within the scope of our candidacy. We are ready to do what is needed for these chapters.”
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CHP, street protests
Çelik also touched upon the ongoing Republican People’s Party (CHP)-led protests against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu’s arrest on corruption charges as well as CHP Chair Özgür Özel’s calls on the EU.
Imamoğlu was detained on March 19 and formally arrested on March 23. Between those dates and afterward, riots broke out across Türkiye as the mayor’s CHP sought to mobilize crowds to protest it. Authorities imposed a ban on gatherings after the incitement by the CHP, particularly in Istanbul.
Mind-boggling hypocrisy:
When faced with news that Marine Le Pen is banned from public office due to being a convicted criminal, western pundits applauded the robustness of France’s democracy.
When fraudster Ekrem İmamoğlu was banned in Turkey, western pundits denounced Turkey as an “autocracy”. pic.twitter.com/RmJG3zxSke
— Dr Tallha Abdulrazaq (@TalAbdulrazaq) March 31, 2025
When Turkey’s courts ban Erdogan’s frontrunning Presidential opponent, the liberal mind rebels and rejects forthwith Erdogan’s argument that the law is the law. When France’s courts do they same, the liberal mind rejoices & parrots the law is the law. Mind-boggling hypocrisy!
— Yanis Varoufakis (@yanisvaroufakis) March 31, 2025
The World is a cesspit of double standards.
Outrage at the arrest of Turkish opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu …and Silence/applause at the Sentencing of the face of French Opposition Marie La Pen . pic.twitter.com/K3hAl1vJqx
— Onah kosisochukwu (@Onahkosi) April 1, 2025
Another X user, @Abdirah1302479, also called attention to a comparable bias:
“Laws in France should work but laws of Turkey shouldn’t, I don’t get. Ekram Imamoglu is more corrupt than Le Pen . Le Pen is loyal to France 100% where Ekram Imamoglu and his CHP are 100% against Turkeye. @ibratas1 Turkeye’s CHP is led by likes of Michael Rubin.”
Laws in France should work but laws of Turkey shouldn’t ,I don’t get. Ekram Imamoglu is more corrupt than Le Pen . Le Pen is loyal to France 100% where Ekram Imamoglu and his CHP are 100% against Turkeye.@ibratas1. Turkeye’s CHP is led by likes of Michael Rubin.
— Abdirahman Yusuf (@Abdirah13024794) March 31, 2025
Many Muslims feel that Western media portrays them unfairly, often focusing on negative stereotypes—like linking Islam to terrorism or oppression—while ignoring positive contributions or diversity within the Muslim world. They argue this stems from a lack of cultural understanding, sensationalism, or geopolitical agendas.
For instance, conflicts involving Muslim-majority countries get heavy coverage, but stories of everyday Muslim life, achievements, or perspectives are sidelined. Some point to double standards: when a Muslim commits a crime, religion is highlighted, but the same isn’t done for other faiths. Critics also say Western media amplifies extremist voices, giving a skewed impression of Islam, while moderate or progressive Muslim voices are underrepresented. This selective framing, they contend, fuels Islamophobia and misrepresents a global community of over 1.8 billion people.
On the flip side, some argue media reflects real events, not bias, but the complaint persists that context and balance are often missing.
-Independent Press With Daily Sabah
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