The Honorable Marco Rubio
United States Secretary of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington DC 20520

Subject: Urgent Concern Regarding the Arrest of Istanbul’s Mayor

Dear Senator Rubio,

I am writing to you as a community leader and the president of a nonprofit organization representing the Turkish diaspora in the U.S. to express our deep concern regarding Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's recent arrest and seek your support.

Being the opposition's obvious candidate for the presidency and a democratically elected official, his detention raises significant alarms about political freedoms in Turkey.

Turkey has long been a key US ally, and a regional power, yet its continued crackdown on political opposition and dissent threatens the fundamental values of democracy and the rule of law. The arrest of Mayor İmamoğlu is politically motivated and aimed at silencing opposition voices. Such actions not only undermine democratic institutions in Turkey but also challenge the principles that the United States stands for globally.

Given your longstanding commitment to democracy and human rights, we urge you to take a firm stance here. We respectfully request that you:

Condemn the arrest publicly and call for the immediate release of Mayor İmamoğlu.

Engage with the U.S. State Department to ensure that this issue is addressed in diplomatic discussions with Turkish officials.

Support measures in Congress that emphasize the importance of democratic governance and human rights in Turkey.

The United States must reaffirm its commitment to democracy worldwide, and I believe your leadership on this issue can make a meaningful difference. I appreciate your time and attention to this matter and look forward to your response.