ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) on Friday condemned new “espionage” charges pressed against Istanbul’s detained Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, calling for the rule of law to “ensure justice.” 

Imamoglu and his campaign manager, Necati Ozkan, are under investigation for espionage, alongside previous charges including bribery, extortion, and aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

“This morning, police raided TELE1 on charges of ‘espionage’, and Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardag was detained. We have learned that an ‘espionage’ investigation has also been launched against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as part of the same investigation,” DEM Party said in a statement on Friday.

TELE1 is a Turkish channel affiliated with Imamoglu’s opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). The channel is known for its criticism of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The recent judicial operation highlights how “the scales of justice in the country have become distorted,” DEM Party said.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said that statements will be taken from Imamoglu and Ozkan, two members of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, as part of “an investigation initiated for the crime of ‘espionage’,” the state-owned Anadolu Agency (AA) reported on Friday.

Imamoglu and Ozkan were detained alongside dozens of colleagues in March. Imamoglu is facing multiple charges, including bribery, extortion, money laundering, and aiding the PKK. 

In the same statement, the Prosecutor's Office said Huseyin Gun, who was arrested in July, is accused of alleged ties with the PKK and foreign consulate officials, who reportedly conducted large unexplained financial transactions, maintained detailed records of contacts, and coup-related events.

“It was understood that suspect Gun operates as a manager within the criminal organization, hierarchically above suspect Ozkan, one of the managers of the Imamoglu profit-oriented criminal organization.”

The statement accused Imamoglu of getting support from a “criminal organization” to get funds “for the presidential candidacy, “ and Ozkan and Gun were recognized as cooperating with him.

Immamoglu, considered the most potent rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was nominated as candidate for the CHP for the 2028 elections.

On Monday, Imamoglu’s trial on charges that he faked his university degree was postponed after a clash between lawyers over the courtroom’s size. 

The next hearing had been scheduled for December 8, according to Turkish media.

The Turkish government has a long history of ousting elected mayors from opposition parties and replacing them with state-appointed trustees.