Ekrem İmamoğlu, the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul and presidential candidate for Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), has been charged with espionage. The new charges stem from an investigation into alleged connections between İmamoğlu’s 2019 mayoral campaign and Hüseyin Gün, a businessman arrested in July 2025 for conducting intelligence activities on behalf of foreign governments. Prosecutors allege that İmamoğlu shared personal data of Istanbul residents to secure international funding for his campaign.

İmamoğlu, already in pretrial detention on separate corruption charges, has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. He described the legal proceedings as a form of oppression against the people and a national disgrace

The investigation intensified after Gün, who had been in contact with İmamoğlu’s adviser, Necati Özkan, became a state witness. Gün’s digital communications, including encrypted messages, were reportedly used as evidence in the case. However, İmamoğlu has denied any involvement with encrypted messaging apps and dismissed the evidence as fabricated.

Speaking to Medyascope, İmamoğlu denied the charges and accused the state of extracting false confession, stating: “Turkey is becoming a nation where anyone can be arrested and told, ‘slander İmamoğlu and benefit from becoming a state witness,’ and this will be normalised.”

“I am confronted with the vilest, most despicable lies and slanders I have ever encountered in my life,” İmamoğlu wrote, adding that with each case opened and every allegation made,........

© Medyascope