Published: March 20, 2025
**WASHINGTON –** Today, **Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee**, issued a statement following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, and over one hundred other city officials and politicians:
“The arrest of Mayor Imamoglu ahead of his expected nomination as a presidential candidate undermines Turkish democracy. I urge the immediate release of Mr. Imamoglu and others arrested in what appear to be politically motivated detentions. Türkiye is a valued NATO ally who has shown continued support for Ukraine. But the full potential of the U.S. – Türkiye relationship can only be unlocked when we commit to ‘strengthening free institutions,’ an obligation of all signatories to the North Atlantic Treaty. Our partnership is vital to addressing numerous global challenges, but respect for democratic norms will always be a priority of mine in the bilateral relationship.”
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