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Former Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was previously suspended from office on corruption charges, is facing new charges of espionage linked to terrorist groups and foreign states.
Imamoglu, as well as Necati Ozkan, one of the alleged leaders of a criminal network led by Imamoglu, and journalist Merdan Yanardag are all set to testify as part of an expanded espionage investigation, Turkish authorities said on Friday.
Authorities said the investigation began after the arrest of Huseyin Gun on July 4, who is accused of carrying out espionage on behalf of foreign states.
According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Gun used encrypted phones to maintain secrecy, financed unrest in various countries, and possessed sensitive materials, including photographs of military-grade ammunition, weapons that civilians could not use, and passport photos of Israeli citizens who were allegedly engaged in military and political work.
A report by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) found that Gun maintained extensive contacts with suspects linked to the Gülenist Terrorist Group (FETÖ) and the terrorist organization PKK, as well as with consular officials from various countries. Despite not owning any business ventures, Gun allegedly carried out large-scale domestic and international money transfers, including withdrawing 85 million Turkish lira ($2 million) in cash, without any documentation of how these funds were used.
The documents seized from Gun reportedly contained notes on coup attempts and civil unrest in other countries, daily records of meetings with individuals and institutions in Turkey, and details of information shared with foreign agents. The statement also said Gun held face-to-face meetings with Mustafa Özcan, identified as a senior FETÖ figure known as the "Imam of England", from whom he received instructions.
Investigators allege that Gun transferred information on Turkey, the Middle East and Africa to operatives working for a foreign country while posing as a businessman.
Prosecutors also cited encrypted communications via the Wickr platform, described as similar to the ByLock network used by FETÖ members, that revealed Gun's contact with a foreign intelligence officer. One message reportedly included a secretly taken photo showing two former Turkish ministers.
The investigation further uncovered correspondence between Gun and Necati Ozkan. The messages allegedly referred to “digital intelligence gathering,” “issues to be considered in the work carried out for Imamoglu,” and “the urgent need to activate 70,000 volunteers.” Another note warned that the mobile phone of Imamoglu’s communications director, Murat Ongun, had been infected with spyware, advising him not to take the device with him to “sensitive private campaign meetings with Mr. Ekrem.”
Authorities say evidence shows that Gun acted as a senior coordinator for Ozkan within the organization, whose main objective was to secure illicit financial gains and finance Imamoglu's political ambitions, including a potential presidential campaign.
Investigators allege that during the 2019 local elections, Gun and Ozkan collaborated to analyze polling stations, create voter profiles and leak confidential election data to foreign intelligence services, actions that prosecutors classify as espionage. The statement also noted that Imamoglu himself met directly with Gun in connection with these operations.
The prosecutor's office said the evidence also links media figure Yanardag to the network, alleging that he "organized the press part of the election process in exchange for benefits offered by Gun" and worked with foreign intelligence elements to influence the 2019 municipal elections.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Imamoglu and Ozkan, who remain in prison on separate charges, to be brought before prosecutors for questioning on espionage charges. Yanardag was detained after searches at his home and office, and Gun will be transferred from prison to the Istanbul Police Department for questioning on charges of "leading a criminal organization," based on newly obtained evidence.
"The investigation will continue with determination and expansion," the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said, noting that the investigation is being pursued in coordination with the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the Istanbul Police Department.
The espionage investigation follows a previous corruption probe into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB). In that case, 15 other suspects were arrested on Friday on charges of leaking the personal and location data of 4.7 million users in two foreign countries through the mobile app "Istanbul Senin." Prosecutors said the data was later offered for sale on the "dark web." They also found that the app's "IBB Hanem" subprogram processed ballot data from 11 million citizens and published it abroad.
According to the prosecutor's statement, arrest warrants were issued for 15 individuals, including software managers and executives affiliated with companies affiliated with IBB, on suspicion of aiding the so-called Imamoglu criminal organization. Officials said all suspects were arrested. / Adapted from DailySabah /
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