A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate concerning the arrest and continued detention of Ekrem Imamoglu and urging the Government of Turkiye to uphold democratic values.
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Committee
Latest Action · May 22, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S3125)
This Senate resolution expresses concern about the arrest and detention of Ekrem Imamoglu, the elected Mayor of Istanbul and a leading opposition candidate for Turkey's 2028 presidential election, who was arrested in March 2025 on corruption and terrorism charges that the resolution characterizes as lacking credible evidence and politically motivated. The resolution notes that Imamoglu's detention has sparked the largest anti-government protests in Turkey since 2013 and has drawn criticism from international organizations including the European Commission, United Nations, and Council of Europe. The resolution calls on President Erdogan to either present credible evidence against Imamoglu or release him immediately, and it urges the Turkish government to uphold democratic values including free elections. It also directs the U.S. Secretary of State to issue strong public statements and engage diplomatically with Turkey regarding what the Senate views as anti-democratic conduct. This is a non-binding resolution that does not appropriate funding or establish specific timelines, but rather signals Senate sentiment on the matter.
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