26.10.2025 21:51
The statement of Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was brought to the Istanbul Courthouse to give his testimony as part of an investigation initiated on the grounds of "espionage," has emerged. İmamoğlu stated that he did not remember knowing Hüseyin Gün, who became a whistleblower by benefiting from effective remorse, and he also could not recall the photo they took together that was published in the media after the investigation was launched.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is continuing the investigation regarding the 'espionage' allegations against Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was suspended from his position after being arrested as part of the 'corruption' investigation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, strategist Necati Özkan, Merdan Yanardağ, the General Editor of TELE 1, which was appointed as a trustee, technology investor Hüseyin Gün, and suspect Melih Geçek.
IMAMOGLU'S PROSECUTOR'S STATEMENT: I DO NOT KNOW HÜSEYİN GÜN, I COULD NOT RECALL AFTER MY PHOTO WAS SHOWN TO ME The prosecutor's statement of İmamoğlu, who was brought to the Istanbul Courthouse to give his testimony as part of the investigation, has emerged. In his statement, İmamoğlu said, "I know Merdan Yanardağ among the individuals being investigated alongside me due to his profession as a journalist. As far as I remember, I visited him at the television channel where he hosted a program three or four times. I have known Melih Geçek for about 12 years. He has held positions in the Republican People's Party in the past. I know he is experienced in information technology. As far as I remember, he was last serving as the General Manager at İSTELCOM. Necati Özkan is the person who managed my political campaigns in the local elections of 2014, 2019, and 2024 and also served as my consultant. I have known him for about 12 years. He did not have an official position within the İBB. I do not recall knowing Hüseyin Gün. After learning that an investigation had been initiated, I could not recall the name Hüseyin Gün even after my lawyers showed me the photo of this person and a woman next to him, but I do remember the visit in question. As far as I remember, this visit was made for congratulatory purposes after I was elected as the Mayor of Istanbul in 2019. However, even though I remember the visit, I do not recall the name of the woman in the photo, but I only remember that she was elegantly dressed and seemed to have a maternal approach," he said.
"I DO NOT KNOW IF THE PERSON REFERRED TO IN THE COMMUNICATIONS IS ME" İmamoğlu was asked whether he had ever used the Wickr Me application, whether he had a membership and username in this application; whether the person referred to in the communications as 'Mr. Mayor', 'İmamoğlu', 'President', 'Mr. President', 'Ekrem', 'Mr. Ekrem', 'Ekrem President' was him; who obtained the data mentioned in the communications, how it was obtained, whether he had any instructions or knowledge regarding its sharing; who carried out the analysis of this data and whether he had any instructions regarding this; whether the 'PPTX' files mentioned in the communications were sent to İmamoğlu, what their contents were, and whether he had any instructions regarding their preparation; and what the expressions '150 thousand digital army', 'real-time digital intelligence', 'non-organic methods', 'TAO unit', 'information treasure', 'swarm attack', 'our volunteers', 'Istanbul Municipality database copying issue', and 'sensitive special campaign meetings' meant. In response, İmamoğlu said, "I heard of the messaging program called 'Wickr Me' for the first time from you. Therefore, I have never had a membership in this program. I do not know if I am the person referred to in the communications where you claim that the person with the username 'Bluestar81' is Necati Özkan and the person with the username 'Jupiter1881' is Hüseyin Gün. However, I can assume that I might be referred to as Ekrem İmamoğlu, but I have no connection to these communications, and I have no knowledge regarding the communications that are claimed to have been made in my name. I do not know what is meant by the expression '150 thousand digital army' mentioned in the communications you asked about. But I assume it might refer to Istanbul volunteers," he said.
"I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN GÜN AND ALAÇAM" When asked whether the data in question was among the data specified in the open-source research report, whether any data sharing had taken place, and if so, whether it was done at İmamoğlu's instruction, how and with whom it was shared and for what reasons, İmamoğlu responded, "I wrote the document in question to the Inspection Board when I started my duty as the Mayor of Istanbul. The purpose of writing this document is to ensure the security of all institutional documents belonging to İBB; it has no other purpose. I have no knowledge of the communications and content between Hüseyin Gün and the late Seher Erçili Alaçam that you mentioned. I have no knowledge regarding the screenshot you claim that Hüseyin Gün sent to Seher Alaçam, which contains English writings, and also regarding the communication content where this person allegedly said, 'IF THE PRESIDENT IS SMART, HE WILL HOLD ONTO THIS ROPE.' I have already explained regarding the detail of the photo you showed, which contains me and the person whose name I learned through you to be Seher Erçili Alaçam, and also the photo of Hüseyin Gün. As far as I remember, the photo in question was taken for a congratulatory visit," he said.
"I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONTENTS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN GÜN AND ÖZKAN" İmamoğlu stated, "I have no knowledge of the contents of the communications between Hüseyin Gün and Necati Özkan. From the dates and communication contents you mentioned, I understand that the alleged contact between Necati Özkan and Hüseyin Gün dates back to 15-20 days before the election, as indicated by Hüseyin Gün's statement of 'end of May, beginning of June.' Therefore, it is not possible for me to know or be concerned about how a 15-20 day contact contributed to my election campaign or the alleged contact with a person named Aaron Barr, whom I do not know, given that I was experiencing a busy election traffic during that period," he said.
"I HAVE THANKED MANY PEOPLE" In the continuation of his statement, İmamoğlu said: "I also do not remember the issue of thanking the person whom Hüseyin Gün referred to as his spiritual mother after her visit to me, for the assistance during the campaign process as alleged."
Because I was elected president at that time, I have thanked many people. If someone has stated that they supported me, I have thanked them out of courtesy.
"IN MY VIEW, ESPIONAGE IS EQUIVALENT TO TREASON" The statements made by Hüseyin Gün are nothing but some of the most absurd comments I have ever heard in my life. It is absolutely unreasonable for someone, whom I understood to have met Necati Özkan at the beginning of June 2019 and who claims to have helped my election campaign, to influence and direct my entire campaign within just 15 days. Because I had conducted a 7-month election campaign at that time. Reducing my entire campaign period to just 15 days, as if throwing it in the trash, is not in line with the normal course of life. Being summoned for the alleged crime of espionage is an insult to my entire life. In my view, espionage is equivalent to treason."