U.S. Senator Adam Schiff urged Turkish authorities to either provide substantial evidence for the corruption charges against jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu or release him immediately. He called on Congress to support a resolution against President Tayyip Erdogan, describing it as a concerning democratic regression in Turkey.
Imamoglu, Erdogan’s main political rival, has been in custody since March while facing corruption allegations, igniting the largest protests in Turkey in a decade. Public support for Imamoglu has surged, with recent polls indicating his approval ratings surpass Erdogan’s.
The mayor maintains his innocence regarding all accusations. His imprisonment has led to market instability and claims of a politically motivated judiciary—a claim the government counters by asserting judicial independence.
The Sif resolution, acquired by Reuters, demands that Erdogan and law enforcement either release Imamoglu or offer credible evidence against him while upholding democratic principles.
“Mayor Imamoglu’s ongoing detention, along with the targeting and arrest of numerous journalists and dissenters in Turkey, reflects a troubling trend of democratic backsliding under President Erdogan,” Schiff stated to Reuters. “The Senate must deliver a strong and clear message that the unjust imprisonment of political opponents is unacceptable.”
The resolution also calls for U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to publicly address Imamoglu’s detention and challenge Turkey over its undemocratic actions.
The State Department has remained largely silent on the Imamoglu case, labeling it an internal matter for Turkey and emphasizing the importance of human rights.
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