İmamoğlu Breaks Silence in Espionage Probe: “Accusing Me of Spying Is as Absurd as Saying I Burned Rome”
ekrem-imamoglu
Istanbul Mayor and jailed opposition presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu has issued a strong defense against espionage allegations during his testimony at the Çağlayan Courthouse, calling the accusations “a disgrace” and “the greatest insult” of his life. The high-profile questioning, part of a sweeping “spy” investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, lasted nearly three hours.
“Espionage Is an Insult to My Life”
Arriving at the courthouse at 10:55 a.m., İmamoğlu’s statement began at 4:10 p.m. and concluded at 6:57 p.m. In his testimony, he vehemently denied all allegations:
“Espionage is an insult to my life. It is the most absurd and serious accusation that could ever be directed at me.”
Visit Was ‘A Congratulatory Meeting’
Prosecutors questioned İmamoğlu about Hüseyin Gün, a former acquaintance who later turned state witness, and Seher Erçili Alaçam, a woman described in testimony as Gün’s “spiritual mother.”
İmamoğlu said he did not initially recognize them but recalled after being shown a photograph that the image was taken during a post-election congratulatory visit in 2019.
“I don’t remember this person. When the photo surfaced in the media, I recognized it as a picture taken during a courtesy visit after the elections,” he said.
“As for the woman in the photo, I recall her as a well-dressed, kind lady who acted with motherly affection — but I do not remember her name.”
“I’ve Never Used the Wickr ME App”
Prosecutors also questioned İmamoğlu about alleged messages found on the encrypted application Wickr ME, purportedly linked to him under the usernames Mr. Mayor and Ekrem Başkan.
“I heard about this app for the first time today,” İmamoğlu stated. “I have never used it and have no membership. I assume those conversations refer to me, but I have absolutely no connection to them.”
Regarding the allegations that Istanbul Municipality’s database was copied, he said:
“Yes, the document was written by me — solely to ensure the digital security of municipal systems. It had no other purpose.”
“The Most Nonsensical Allegations of My Life”
İmamoğlu dismissed as “fictional” the claim that data experts Hüseyin Gün and campaign strategist Necati Özkan secretly conducted analytical operations during his 2019 mayoral campaign:
“Gün’s statements are some of the most nonsensical things I have ever heard. The 2019 campaign lasted seven months — it’s illogical to claim that someone could join in the last 15 days and direct the entire process.”
He also denied any connection with Aaron Barr, a figure alleged to have CIA links:
“As someone who learned to read the Qur’an at age six, the idea that a CIA agent would teach me how to appeal to conservatives is utterly absurd.”
“Espionage Equals Treason”
In closing, İmamoğlu underscored the personal and political gravity of the accusations:
“For me, espionage is equivalent to treason. This accusation is the greatest insult ever made against my life. I have never been involved with any intelligence agency or secret information. I am facing a political conspiracy. Saying I burned Rome would be more realistic than calling me a spy.”
Political Reverberations
The espionage investigation, which prosecutors claim involves “foreign-linked influence operations,” has sparked domestic and international outrage, with opposition parties calling it “a politically motivated case.”
Legal experts note that the timing of the investigation — just months before the presidential election — appears designed to undermine the opposition campaign, while human rights organizations have demanded İmamoğlu’s immediate release pending trial.
