The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, has been targeted by an investigation for espionage, in the context of corruption allegations and pressures on the opposition.

An investigation for espionage has been opened against the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, who is in opposition and has been incarcerated since March for corruption charges that he contests. The investigation also targets his campaign director, Necati Özkan, and the editor-in-chief of the television station Tele1, Merdan Yanardag. It began after the arrest of a businessman accused of espionage, who allegedly shared confidential data with foreign intelligence services.

At the same time, a Turkish court rejected a request to dismiss the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Ozgur Ozel, which reduced pressure on the opposition. The verdict had a positive impact on financial markets, with an increase in the main index of the Istanbul Stock Exchange. The opposition, which accuses the government of political repression, is in a tight competition with President Erdogan's conservative party, AKP. The next presidential elections are scheduled for 2028, but they could take place earlier, in the context of current political tensions.