Istanbul’s ousted mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu found guilty of “political espionage”

The investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office against Ekrem İmamoğlu — the suspended mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality — continues, following his arrest in connection with a corruption probe, Turkish media reported. The case also involves Necati Özkan, Merdan Yanardağ, and Melih Geçek, all accused of “espionage.”

According to NTV, İmamoğlu, Özkan, and Yanardağ were brought before the court to face charges of political espionage.

After questioning the former mayor, his political adviser Necati Özkan, and TELE 1 opposition TV channel’s general director Merdan Yanardağ, the court ordered their formal arrest on charges of political espionage.

“The purpose of the profit-oriented criminal organisation allegedly led by Ekrem İmamoğlu was to engage in espionage activities to gain international support, as well as in corrupt practices aimed at fundraising for his election campaign,” the court’s ruling stated.

By Vugar Khalilov