Message from Merdan Yanardağ, arrested on espionage charges: He explains the purpose of the plot

CHP Presidential Candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu and journalist Merdan Yanardağ were referred to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan as part of an investigation launched on charges of "espionage."

Following their interrogations, Ekrem İmamoğlu, Merdan Yanardağ, and Necati Özkan were referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace, and an arrest warrant was issued.

MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM MERDAN YANARDAĞ 

Following his arrest, Merdan Yanardağ sent a message to journalist and 12punto columnist Müyesser Yıldız, in which he referred to the October 29 Republic Day, stating, "On this great day, when the will was taken from a dynasty and the sultanate was ended to proclaim the Republic, we are facing a new plot against patriots."

Yanardağ stated that the purpose of his arrest was both to ensure the arrest warrant for Ekrem İmamoğlu and to silence Tele 1 channel and himself.

In his message, Yanardağ criticized those who trade with Israel, those who only produce rhetoric against what is happening in Gaza, and those who engage in dirty cooperation with imperialism, saying, "This lie and slander will not stick to us. We will not bow down to tyranny, lawlessness, or the will that brought us here."