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Turkish Court Issues New Detention Order for Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu on ‘Political Espionage’ Charge

The opposition figure has been held since March on a separate corruption case.

Overview

  • State agency Anadolu reported that the order alleges İmamoğlu led a criminal group, conducted espionage to secure international backing, and engaged in corruption to raise funds for a presidential bid.
  • The warrant also names his campaign strategist Necati Özkan and Tele1 editor Merdan Yanardağ, days after the government placed the broadcaster under state control.
  • İmamoğlu rejected the accusations in statements carried by Turkish media, calling the claims absurd and a conspiracy.
  • Roughly a thousand supporters gathered outside Istanbul’s Caglayan courthouse during his appearance, according to reporters on the scene.
  • CHP leaders denounced the move as politically motivated, while the earlier corruption case against İmamoğlu remains in pre-trial detention with no indictment reported.