Ekrem Imamoğlu, the former mayor of Istanbul, who had previously been suspended over corruption allegations, is now facing new espionage charges allegedly linked to terrorist groups and foreign states.
According to Turkish authorities, Imamoğlu — along with Necati Özkan, one of the suspected leaders of a criminal network, and journalist Merdan Yanardağ — is expected to testify as part of an expanded espionage investigation.
The case began after the July 4 arrest of Hüseyin Gün, accused of spying for foreign nations. Prosecutors say Gün used encrypted phones, financed unrest in several countries, and possessed classified materials, including photos of military equipment, banned weapons, and Israeli citizens involved in political and military affairs.
A report by Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) found that Gün maintained links with suspects tied to FETÖ and PKK and had unexplained financial transfers totaling 85 million Turkish liras (≈ $2 million).
Documents seized from Gün included notes on coup attempts, daily logs of meetings with political and foreign figures, and evidence of direct contact with Mustafa Özcan, a senior FETÖ figure known as the “Imam of England.”
Investigators allege Gün shared sensitive intelligence on Turkey, the Middle East, and Africa with operatives from a foreign intelligence agency while posing as a businessman.
Encrypted communications on Wickr revealed messages about “digital intelligence meetings,” “operations related to Imamoğlu,” and the mobilization of “70,000 volunteers.” One message reportedly warned that Imamoğlu’s communications director’s phone had been infected with spyware.
Prosecutors claim Gün oversaw Özkan’s activities, funneling money to fund Imamoğlu’s political ambitions, including a potential presidential campaign. They also allege that Gün and Özkan leaked voter data during the 2019 local elections to foreign intelligence, classifying it as espionage.
Journalist Yanardağ is accused of handling the media strategy of the network “in exchange for financial favors” and cooperating with foreign intelligence elements to influence the 2019 election.
All three — Imamoğlu, Özkan, and Yanardağ — have been summoned or detained as part of the new espionage probe, which the Prosecutor General’s Office says is being conducted with Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and Istanbul Police.
The espionage case follows a previous corruption investigation involving data leaks from Istanbul Municipality, where 15 other suspects were arrested for selling personal data of 4.7 million users on the dark web.
“The investigation will continue decisively and expand further,” the Prosecutor’s Office stated.
