The Turkish authorities must submit sufficient evidence of corruption, which is accused by the prisoner of Constantinople, Ekrem Imoglou, or release him immediately, US Senator Adam Sif said today, urging his members to Return to Turkey.

Erdogan’s main opponent, Mayor Ekrem Imamoglou, was imprisoned in March, pending his trial for corruption, triggering the biggest demonstrations in Turkey for a decade. Popular support for Imamoglou has since increased, with his percentages exceeding those of Erdogan, according to polls.

The mayor denies all the categories. His arrest has caused turmoil in the markets and charges of politicized judicial power, allegations that the government rejects, saying that the judges are independent.

The SIF resolution, which has been aware of Reuters, calls on Erdogan and the law enforcement authorities to release Imamoglou or to present credible evidence against him and to maintain democratic values.

“The ongoing detention of Mayor Imamoglou, as well as the harassment and arrest of dozens of journalists and political voices in Turkey, is the last in an unfortunate trend of democratic regression experienced by Turkey under President Erdogan“, Sif told Reuters.

“The Senate should send a strong and clear message that the unjustified imprisonment of Erdogan’s political opponents is not acceptedor”.

The resolution also calls on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to speak openly about detention and to deal with Turkey about what it described as anti -democratic behavior.

The State Department has said little about the Imamoglu case, describing the internal judicial issue for Turkey, seeking respect for human rights.