Indictment accepted: Trial date set for İmamoğlu's espionage case

The Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court has accepted the indictment prepared against Ekrem İmamoğlu, Necati Özkan, Hüseyin Gün, and Merdan Yanardağ on charges of "Political Espionage."

The first hearing will be held in Silivri on May 11 at 10:00 AM.

REQUEST FOR 15 TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON

The indictment requests prison sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years for Ekrem İmamoğlu, Özkan, Yanardağ, and Hüseyin Gün. The prosecution alleged that İmamoğlu engaged in attempts to influence the elections during the 2019 local election process.

The prosecution office claimed that İmamoğlu aimed to establish dominance over the CHP and intended to position himself as a presidential candidate during this process. It was alleged that he acted in coordination with Hüseyin Gün to this end. Similar accusations were previously included in the corruption indictment prepared regarding the İBB. The prosecution's assessment was conveyed in the indictment as follows:

"In the examination conducted; as stated in the indictment prepared within the scope of the 'İmamoğlu Profit-Oriented Criminal Organization' investigation, it is understood that after suspect Ekrem İMAMOĞLU became the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, he engaged in activities with the aim of taking over the Republican People's Party (CHP), of which he is a member, to pave the way for becoming a presidential candidate, and that instructions were given by suspect Hüseyin Gün in the form of organizing a digital perception operation and providing a news network in line with this goal,"

The indictment argued that the campaigns conducted during the 2019 local elections were manipulative and intended to steer public opinion. The prosecution claimed that these efforts aimed to establish a sphere of political influence for İmamoğlu not only in Istanbul but across the entire country. The text included the following statements:

"It is aimed to have a say in our country's politics, especially in Istanbul, by ensuring that the suspect Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was supported by manipulating the 2019 local elections, wins the election, and activities were carried out in line with this goal..."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Imprisoned İBB Mayor and CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, Merdan Yanardağ, the Editor-in-Chief of the state-appointed trustee-run TELE1, and İmamoğlu's imprisoned advisor and campaign director Necati Özkan were detained and arrested on October 27 on charges of "political espionage."

Following the "corruption" investigation conducted against him, İmamoğlu has now been arrested within the scope of an "espionage" investigation, marking his second time being sent to prison.

In a statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was alleged that İmamoğlu, described as the "leader of the organization," "took over the CHP through illegal methods as the 'İmamoğlu Profit-Oriented Criminal Organization,' and committed the crime of espionage by transferring the personal data of citizens, primarily those in Istanbul, to foreign intelligence units in order to create a fund for his presidential candidacy and to commit financial crimes in line with this goal."

It was learned that Hüseyin Gün, one of the critical figures in the espionage investigation, provided a comprehensive statement in order to benefit from effective remorse provisions. Gün, who gave a total of 262 pages of testimony to the police, was arrested and sent to prison on July 4.