On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared his concerns with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan regarding the escalating protests and mass detentions in Turkey. The unrest follows the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opposition figure, which has ignited widespread demonstrations across the country. Speaking to reporters on a plane returning from a Caribbean trip, Rubio stated, “We watch the same news reports everybody else sees about what’s going on. We’re certainly concerned about these protests and some of the reports.”
Rubio also highlighted past U.S.-Turkey relations, noting that President Donald Trump, during his first term, had a “very good working relationship” with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. The top U.S. diplomat expressed Washington’s interest in restarting that cooperation, aiming to address a range of bilateral issues amidst the current tensions.
Who is Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu?
Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul since 2019, is a prominent member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Turkey’s main opposition party. His arrest stems from charges of insulting election officials during the 2019 municipal elections, a case widely viewed as politically motivated by his supporters. Imamoglu’s rise to prominence came after he defeated the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate in a historic election, ending 25 years of AKP control over Istanbul. His leadership has made him a symbol of resistance against President Erdogan’s government, and his detention has led to nearly 1,900 arrests as protests sweep the nation, drawing international attention to Turkey’s political climate.