New details have emerged regarding the “espionage” accusation leveled against Ekrem İmamoğlu, the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
According to Modern.az, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated a criminal investigation against İmamoğlu and Necati Özkan, who is considered one of his close associates, on charges of “espionage.”
Within the scope of the same investigation, Mardan Yanardağ, the editor-in-chief of TELE1 television, has been detained. His office was searched.
According to the statement from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the investigation was launched based on inquiries related to Hüseyin Gün, who was arrested on July 4 and is alleged to have engaged in “agency activities for foreign countries.” On his electronic devices, “photos of special and confidential military ammunition,” as well as passport copies belonging to individuals with connections to Israeli security agencies, were discovered.
A cash withdrawal of 85 million lira was identified in Gün's bank accounts, but no transaction records regarding the use of this amount were found. He is alleged to have had connections with members of FETÖ and PKK, as well as consular staff from various countries.
Secret Correspondence via “Wickr”
The investigation revealed that Hüseyin Gün used a highly encrypted mobile application called “Wickr,” similar to the “ByLock” program, and engaged in correspondence with foreign intelligence operatives. The sharing of remotely taken photographs of two former ministers who held office in Turkey drew attention in these correspondences.
The Prosecutor's Office stated that Hüseyin Gün maintained regular contact with Necati Özkan via “Wickr” and gave him instructions regarding “collecting information for İmamoğlu, activating 70,000 volunteers, and monitoring Murat Ongun's phone with spyware.” The investigation determined that Gün was the leading figure in this network, positioned above Necati Özkan.
The information notes that the group led by İmamoğlu aimed not only to gain financial profit but also to establish a fund to finance his presidential candidacy. Allegedly, during the 2019 municipal elections, voters' personal data was leaked, and this information was shared with foreign intelligence agencies in an attempt to influence election results.
Within the scope of the investigation, it was announced that Mardan Yanardağ also had close ties with Hüseyin Gün regarding espionage activities, and this fact was confirmed by witness testimonies. Yanardağ is alleged to have coordinated media activities during the election period through Gün and collaborated with foreign intelligence.
The Prosecutor's Office stated that İmamoğlu and Necati Özkan will be brought from the facility where they are imprisoned to give testimony regarding this accusation, while Yanardağ was detained after searches were conducted at his home and workplace.
The statement emphasizes that the investigation will be continued “resolutely and extensively” in cooperation with the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and the Istanbul Police Department.
The incident has caused significant public resonance in Turkey. Opposition representatives view this as a politically motivated act of pressure, while circles close to the government assess it as a matter of state security.
Elnur Əmirov
