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Ekrem Imamoglu, already in custody on corruption charges resulting in his removal as Istanbul mayor, was served with a new arrest warrant, along with Necati Ozkan and Merdan Yanardag, on Monday on allegations of political espionage, according to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
"The investigation into espionage charges against Imamoglu, Ozkan, Yanardag and Melih Gecek continues," authorities said.
The criminal court of peace completed questioning of Imamoglu, Ozkan, and Yanardag, and issued an arrest warrant on charges of political espionage.
"Huseyin Gun provided detailed testimony to police and prosecutors regarding the alleged criminal organization led by Imamoglu and espionage connections, requesting to benefit from effective remorse provisions," authorities said.
Gun and Gecek, who gave testimony in the investigation, were sent to the prison where they were already being held on separate charges.
The criminal court of peace ruling stated the criminal organization allegedly led by Imamoglu aimed to create funding for a presidential candidacy through corruption and to secure international support through espionage activities, according to the court document.
Suspects Ozkan and Imamoglu allegedly attempted to gain an advantage in the 2019 elections by accessing social media and internal communications of numerous voters, including institutional accounts belonging to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the ruling stated.
The suspects acted together with Gun, an organization manager for military and political espionage crimes, the document said.
Ozkan allegedly transferred numerous municipal data to an internet environment called Ostin with Imamoglu's knowledge and instruction, and analysis and reporting were conducted with support from foreign intelligence services through Gun to gain prominence, according to the ruling. These matters were confirmed by Gun's effective remorse statement, and Gun received support from intelligence services during the reporting process, indicating they conducted espionage activities jointly within a hierarchical structure, the ruling stated.
Yanardag, general broadcast director of TELE1 channel, formed the media component of espionage activities by using the channel as a tool under Gun's instructions and guidance, the ruling stated.
Yanardag allegedly attempted to create perception through broadcasts made as a result of analysis and reporting done under Gun's instructions, according to the document.
Yanardag regularly obtained cash material benefits in return for these actions, confirmed by witness testimony, the ruling stated. Strong suspicion of crime exists based on concrete evidence, grounds for arrest can be accepted, judicial control provisions would be inadequate considering the penalty amount prescribed by law for the alleged crime and the subject and severity of the crime, and arrest would be proportionate, the court concluded, according to the ruling.
Ozgur Ozel, general chairman of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), spoke outside the Istanbul Courthouse regarding Imamoglu's arrest on espionage charges.
"Of course, we are tired, angry, reactive, but none of them should hope that we are demoralized, nor have they been able to destroy us, nor will they be able to," Ozel said.
Ozel claimed the allegations of terrorism support and corruption against Imamoglu and his associates could not be proven.
"Finally, as a last resort, let's do something new from scratch, let's accuse them of espionage, maybe we'll convince the citizens this way," Ozel said, describing what he characterized as the authorities' approach.
Ozel argued the prosecutor's office sent a press information note while the arrest decision was being read, before documents were given to attorneys, "The information note begins by stating that in addition to the other crimes of the terrorist organization that Ekrem Imamoglu established to illegally seize the Republican People's Party and provide funding for the presidency.'
CHP leader Ozel said that labeling the group a “profit-oriented criminal organization” is premature, stressing that an indictment must first be written, evidence presented, and a trial and appeals process completed before any such judgment can be made.
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