IMM investigation: Are those words from a CHP deputy behind the prison transfer?

The decision to transfer individuals arrested as part of the investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) from Silivri Prison to other facilities has sparked controversy. Nine people, including names such as Murat Ongun, Necati Özkan, and Hüseyin Köksal, were sent to prisons in surrounding provinces.

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Gökhan Günaydın criticized the decision, commenting, "It seems there is an instruction saying, 'The more you scatter them, the better!'" It is alleged that the decision was prompted by statements made by CHP Ankara Deputy Umut Akdoğan on Halk TV.

Akdoğan had stated that İmamoğlu was communicating with his team while in custody, saying, "Mr. İmamoğlu has notes. He gives those notes to the lawyer and says, 'Take this to Buğra Gökçe, take this to Resul Emrah Şahan, have Necati Özkan work on this.' Then reports are prepared. Murat Ongun gives what he has prepared to the lawyer. He takes it and gives it to Mr. İmamoğlu. There is such a workflow. It is done through lawyers."

Journalist Taha Yasin Karagöz, who is close to the government, claimed in a social media post that Akdoğan had exposed the communication system used by İmamoğlu and his team with these words. Karagöz alleged that following this disclosure, the individuals being tried for membership in an organization were transferred to other prisons.

The allegation that is the subject of the transfer justification;

İmamoğlu coordinating the detained suspects and interfering with their testimonies

Ongun and other names communicating both among themselves via their lawyers

And threatening whistleblowers

Also giving orders to destroy evidence

— Taha Hüseyin Karagöz (@thhsynkrgz) April 13, 2025

He further alleged that İmamoğlu was interfering with the testimonies of the detainees and giving orders to destroy evidence.