Breaking News: Opinion presented in İmamoğlu's espionage case

İmamoğlu faces judge in three separate cases

Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was sent to prison following his arrest on March 23, 2025, and removed from his position as Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), appeared before a judge today as part of three separate cases.

The hearing for the case known in the public eye as the "espionage case," in which İmamoğlu is being tried while in detention, is continuing today at the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court.

In addition to Ekrem İmamoğlu, journalist Merdan Yanardağ, his advisor Necati Özkan, and Hüseyin Gün are also being tried as detained defendants. Hüseyin Gün had become a confessor in his statement given while in custody, stating that he wished to benefit from effective remorse provisions.

FROM THE HEARING

11:30 | Detained journalist Merdan Yanardağ began his defense. Yanardağ argued that voting for a political party was presented as a criminal element in the indictment, stating that if this approach were to be taken as a basis, all political parties would need to be put on trial.

11:25 | After İmamoğlu left the courtroom, the presiding judge took the opinion of the hearing prosecutor regarding witness statements. The prosecutor stated that they had no comments on this matter. Stating that the evidence collection process had not yet been completed, the prosecutor requested that the detention of all defendants be continued on the grounds of "strong suspicion of crime."

11:15 | Ekrem İmamoğlu was present in the courtroom in the morning hours. His lawyers made a request for him to be able to attend the hearing where the "diploma" case would be heard. Upon the court panel accepting the request, İmamoğlu left the courtroom where the "espionage" case was being heard and moved to the courtroom where the "diploma" case would be heard.

News Source: 12punto