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Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday that journalist Merdan Yanardag was detained and former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was brought in for questioning as part of an expanding espionage investigation that also involves businessman Huseyin Gun and campaign director Necati Ozkan.
According to the prosecutor’s statement, the case stems from an earlier probe in which Huseyin Gun was arrested on July 4, on espionage charges for allegedly acting on behalf of foreign countries and using encrypted communication tools for secret exchanges.
Authorities said digital evidence obtained from Gun, including encrypted phones and handwritten documents, revealed photographs of military equipment and Israeli passports, as well as contact with individuals previously investigated under FETO/PDY and PKK/KCK terror cases.
Investigators also found connections to multiple foreign consulate officials and intelligence operatives.
A financial investigation by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) found that Gun had conducted significant domestic and international money transfers, despite having no active business operations, and had withdrawn ₺85 million ($2.02 million) in cash, with no recorded transactions to justify the movement of funds.
Handwritten notes allegedly belonging to Gun referenced coup attempts and internal unrest in foreign countries, and included details of meetings with individuals identified as intelligence operatives and senior members of the FETO organization, including Mustafa Ozcan, described as the group’s “UK imam.”
The statement said encrypted communications on the “Wickr” platform between Gun and Imamoglu’s campaign director, Necati Ozkan, included instructions on “digital intelligence gathering,” “mobilizing 70,000 volunteers,” and warnings about a campaign staff member’s phone being compromised by spyware.
The prosecutor’s office claimed Gun operated as a superior figure to Ozkan within what it described as a “criminal organization” linked to Imamoglu, asserting that the group’s purpose was to generate financial gain and create a fund to support Imamoglu’s presidential bid.
Authorities alleged that during the 2019 local election campaign, the suspects collaborated to analyze voter data and share information with foreign intelligence services, framing the activities as espionage. The statement also said Gun maintained direct contact and meetings with Imamoglu.
The prosecutor’s office stated that journalist Merdan Yanardag had multiple communications with Gun regarding espionage activities.
Citing witness testimony, prosecutors alleged that Yanardag coordinated the media aspect of the election campaign in exchange for financial benefit, and that he cooperated with foreign intelligence services to manipulate the 2019 municipal elections.
Prosecutors confirmed that Imamoglu and Ozkan, both previously detained in a corruption case, would be brought from prison to testify regarding the espionage allegations. Yanardag was detained on Wednesday, and searches were conducted at his home and office at TELE 1 headquarters.
The statement added that the investigation is being carried out jointly by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), and the Istanbul Police Department and “will continue resolutely and expand further.”
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