Turkish political espionage trial against Imamoglu associates faces credibility crisis
The political espionage trial targeting associates of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu began to crack at its first hearing on May 11 in Silivri Prison, as the key defendant Hüseyin Gün claimed he had been tasked by the state with overseas operations and presented a document he said proved he was authorized by the Prime Ministry. Gün, accused of linking Imamoglu’s political ambitions with Western intelligence agencies, denied all charges and said the complaint against him came from a personal grudge. The trial, based on an indictment prepared in October 2025, has raised questions about the reliability of the evidence and the motives behind the case.
The political espionage trial targeting associates of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu faced a credibility crisis at its first hearing on May 11 in Silivri Prison, as the key defendant, Hüseyin Gün, claimed he had been tasked by the state with overseas operations and presented a document he said proved he was authorized by the Prime Ministry.
Gün, accused in an indictment prepared in October 2025 under then-Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul Akin Gurlek of linking Imamoglu's political goals with Western intelligence agencies, denied all charges. He said the complaint against him stemmed from a personal grudge. The complainant is Umit Deniz Alacam, son of Seher Ercili Alacam, whom Gün called his "spiritual mother."
In court, Gün claimed he had been assigned by the state to hunt FETO members in Europe. He presented a notarized translation of a document he said showed he was fully authorized to direct and manage Turkey's relations and promotion in London as of March 1, 2017, under Prime Ministry Undersecretary Fuat Oktay. The document lacked official markings such as a notary stamp, date, or seal, and listed the Prime Ministry address as Ziyaurrahman Street.
The indictment alleges that Imamoglu's political path, including his 2019 mayoral win and later chairmanship of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), was criminalized through a spy network run by Gün in exchange for foreign support. The indictment also suggests the CHP should face a closure case over alleged financial manipulation of the November 2023 party congress. Journalist Merdan Yanardag is accused of being part of the spy network via financial support for his channel Tele-1.
Gün said he met Imamoglu only once, for a photo, at Alacam's suggestion, and had no further contact. Imamoglu told the court that neither his name nor Gün's appeared in his appointment book for that day. Necati Ozkan, Imamoglu's political advisor, testified that he met Gün on June 11, 2019, and that Gün made a business proposal that was rejected. Ozkan asked Gün in court: "Did I give you any data?", "Did I give you any information about IBB or its subsidiaries?", "Did I ask you to manipulate elections?" – Gün answered "No" to each.
Imamoglu said in court: "They are trying to turn Ekrem Imamoglu, Necati Ozkan, Merdan Yanardag into spies and traitors. Those who conceive, write, and sign such a thing will be remembered not with law but with shame."
The trial comes amid a broader crackdown on opposition figures. On May 6, Turkey seized assets of arrested CHP mayor Muhittin Böcek in a corruption probe, and on May 8, police arrested 29 Istanbul municipality officials in a corruption investigation targeting Imamoglu.