Investigation into Corruption and Urban Accord Targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

On March 19, 2025, in the early morning hours, a large-scale operation was carried out against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) as part of an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office. In the investigation, which includes Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, arrest warrants were issued for a total of 106 individuals, including Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık, Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, and several municipal employees.

^{Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Building (}TRT)

In a statement issued by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office, different charges have been brought against Ekrem İmamoğlu and other suspects. These include:

According to the allegations, the PKK/KCK terrorist organization conducted an activity called “urban consensus” aimed at increasing its influence in Istanbul and other major cities. The prosecutor’s office claims that İmamoğlu and certain municipal officials formed an alliance with the Halkların Demokratik Kongresi (HDK) umbrella structure.

According to the prosecution, simultaneous arrests were carried out against HDK members, and it was determined that sympathizers of the terrorist organization were employed within the İBB-affiliated Istanbul Planning Agency and BİMTAŞ.

The prosecutor’s statement indicates that İmamoğlu is accused of leading a criminal organization and placing certain individuals close to him in key positions within the İBB since his tenure as mayor of Beylikdüzü. The allegations include:

• Tampering with tenders and irregularities: It is alleged that inflated bids were submitted in İBB subsidiaries, resulting in irregularities in public procurement processes.

• Bribery and embezzlement: It is claimed that funds from companies awarded contracts by the municipality were transferred to construction projects allegedly owned by İmamoğlu, and that some businesspeople were forced to pay money under duress.

• Illegal acquisition of personal data: It is stated that personal data of Istanbul residents were collected unlawfully and used for the organization’s activities.

The investigation is said to have been initiated following previously published CHP “money counting” footage and a MASAK report.

The individuals taken into custody include:

• Ekrem İmamoğlu (Mayor of İBB)
• Murat Ongun (Advisor to İBB and manager of Medya AŞ)
• Mehmet Murat Çalık (Mayor of Beylikdüzü)
• Resul Emrah Şahan (Mayor of Şişli)
• Necati Özkan (İmamoğlu’s campaign manager)
• Buğra Gökçe (President of Istanbul Planning Agency)
• Murat Abbas (General Manager of İBB Kültür AŞ)
• Ercan Saatçi (Artist)
• Fatih Keleş, Tuncay Yılmaz, Hüseyin Köksal, and other municipal officials.

A total of 106 individuals have been subject to arrest warrants, and investigations are ongoing.

Following Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest, the CHP labeled the process a “civilian coup” and called on party members to join the party and support İmamoğlu in the presidential primaries. CHP General Chairman Özgür Özel, in a statement on Halk TV, said, “This is a civilian coup; we will resist this coup at the ballot box.”

MHP General Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, in his statement, emphasized the need to respect legal procedures, saying, “No one is above the law.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in his first assessment of the İBB investigation, stated that rather than directly responding to the opposition’s claims about the judicial process, the CHP is attempting to keep the issue on the agenda through political slogans. Erdoğan emphasized that the CHP has failed to respond to the corruption and irregularity allegations uncovered by the judiciary, particularly noting that in numerous investigations involving municipalities, many documents have been directly submitted to the courts by CHP members themselves.

To prevent potential protests, the Istanbul Governor’s Office banned gatherings, demonstrations, and press statements across the city for four days. In response to İmamoğlu’s arrest, demonstrations were held near Istanbul University and its surroundings, alongside the CHP headquarters. At the same time, during an unauthorized demonstration in Ankara, five police officers were lightly injured during intervention.

In the early hours of March 20, CHP General Chairman Özgür Özel addressed citizens from a bus in front of the İBB building in Saraçhane, following Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest in connection with the investigation into terrorism and organized crime targeting the İBB. The event was attended by CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik, former CHP General Chairmen Hikmet Çetin and Altan Öymen, former SHP General Chairman Murat Karayalçın, and Ekrem İmamoğlu’s son Selim İmamoğlu, along with other party members. At the same time, five police officers were lightly injured during intervention at an unauthorized demonstration in Ankara.

Protests following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu continued into their third day. As a result of incidents during demonstrations held in numerous cities including Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Adana, Antalya, Eskişehir, Konya, and Edirne, 343 people were taken into custody. Security forces occasionally intervened during protests using pepper spray and TOMA vehicles.

Tensions arose between some participants and security forces during demonstrations in Istanbul’s Saraçhane district. It was reported that some masked individuals attacked police with stones, fireworks, and lasers, and that these individuals entered the İBB building by breaking its windows. It was reported that public property was damaged and security measures were heightened.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, in a social media statement, said that necessary measures have been taken against attempts to disrupt public order and that security forces will continue their duties. It was noted that the judicial process regarding the demonstrations is ongoing.

After medical checks, Ekrem İmamoğlu and other suspects were taken to the Vatan Campus of the Istanbul Police Directorate. It was reported that arrest warrants have been issued for 22 additional individuals. As a result of ongoing operations by security forces, three more individuals with arrest warrants were apprehended, raising the total number of arrests to 87. As of March 22, the number of arrests stood at 90. Operations are continuing to apprehend 16 individuals subject to arrest warrants.

Based on MASAK reports obtained on March 19, assets of İmamoğlu Construction, Trade and Industry Joint Stock Company, co-owned by İmamoğlu, were seized. Upon the prosecutor’s request, the on-duty peace criminal court imposed precautionary measures on the company’s assets.

One of the most notable developments in the investigation was the arrest of İBB contractor Ali Nuhoğlu while attempting to flee. Nuhoğlu, who previously came into the public eye for transferring three villies valued at 50 million dollars to Ekrem İmamoğlu for 15 million Turkish Lira, was apprehended at his residence with 40 million Turkish Lira in cash.

Police units stated that Ali Nuhoğlu was attempting to flee with a large amount of cash and is a key figure in the investigation. The Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that this development would deepen the investigation.

In his statement at the police station, Nuhoğlu stated he did not wish to benefit from provisions on effective repentance and submitted a 40-page defense. In his statement, Nuhoğlu claimed his monthly income was 500,000 lira. He also stated that apart from tea plantations in Trabzon inherited from his grandfather, he had no other registered assets.

During the statement, a factual note was shared regarding the prosecutor’s findings: “İSTCON İnş. Yatırım San. ve Tic. A.Ş’s bank accounts received a total of 658,929,738 lira 45 kuruş between January 2024 and 2025 from KİPTAŞ Istanbul Housing and Urban Planning Tourism Transportation Trade and Industry Joint Stock Company’s bank accounts. Investigations into the company’s bank accounts revealed that approximately 320 million lira of the funds transferred from KİPTAŞ were directed to the bank accounts of Trend İnş. San. ve Tic. A.Ş (Ali Nuhoğlu’s company). Trend İnşaat issued invoices for goods and services totaling only 783 million lira (excluding VAT) to İSTCON İnşaat between 2024 and 2025. It was thus determined that not all of these transfers were related to legitimate commercial activities.”

During questioning, based on the report of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board, Nuhoğlu was questioned regarding findings related to Güllüce Tarımcılık San. Tic. A.Ş. Nuhoğlu denied all allegations, asserting he did not engage in any transaction with criminal intent.

It was reported that statements have begun to be taken from the 87 suspects held at the Istanbul Police Directorate. In a statement by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office, some witnesses indicated that “Ekrem İmamoğlu and numerous others forced businesspeople to pay money, secured unjust gains through various irregular procedures, and laundered this money through individuals referred to as a ‘secret cash box.’”

According to witness statements, Ertan Yıldız, Chairman of the İBB Municipal Subsidiaries Related Institutions Committee, and another suspect, Süleyman Atik, demanded a bribe of five million euros from the owners of Capacity AVM, saying, “You have earned enough here for 15 years, give us five million euros.” They allegedly threatened that if the demand was not met, they would issue a ruling declaring the AVM “earthquake-resistant.”

It was stated that Atik also pressured complainants by saying, “You would not want to face the person who will become president in two years.” It was alleged that after the bribe was not paid, the municipality imposed a 197 million Turkish Lira fine, which was claimed to be a direct consequence of refusing to pay the bribe.

While the legal validity of the report claiming the AVM was earthquake-resistant was disputed, the Administrative Court issued a decision to suspend enforcement of the fine. This development strengthened claims that the fine was imposed unlawfully.

During investigations, fugitive suspects Buğra Gökçe in Istanbul and Uğurhan Atma in Muğla were apprehended by police units. Thus, in the ongoing operation targeting corruption, the number of arrests rose to 90.

In an audio recording submitted to the case file, conversations between Murat Ongun and Serdal Taşkın discuss how personal data of Istanbul residents was collected through Ongun’s company, Reklam İstanbul.

Ongun stated that the data was used for political purposes, while Taşkın warned that this could lead to serious legal risks. Additionally, the file includes allegations that Reklam İstanbul received more than 70 irregular tenders from Medya AŞ and that fugitive suspect Emrah Bağdatlı also used personal data illegally.

• Rejection of offer to benefit from effective repentance provisions: İmamoğlu stated he did not commit any crime and declined to benefit from provisions on effective repentance.

• General stance toward allegations: He strongly denied all allegations against him and responded to many questions with, “I am not addressing this question.”

• Emphasis on political interference: In his statement, he asserted that the investigation was not a legal process but a political intervention, describing it as “judicial harassment” and viewing it as an attempt against the will of the people.

• Declaration of assets and property: He stated he had submitted asset declarations, his monthly income was 250,000 Turkish Lira, İmamoğlu İnşaat is a 36-year-old family business, and he had no signing authority after becoming mayor. He made no statement regarding MASAK reports.

• Statements by confidential witnesses: He denied all allegations made by confidential witnesses and refused to answer many questions, saying, “I am not addressing this question.”

• Allegations regarding tenders and public damage: He similarly refused to respond to questions regarding irregular tenders through KİPTAŞ, İSPARK, Kültür AŞ, and Medya AŞ. He denied all allegations, including the claim of over 260 million Turkish Lira in public damage.

• Allegations regarding the Beylikdüzü period: He also denied allegations of corruption prior to his mayoral term and refused to answer these questions.

^{Çağlayan Istanbul Court House Where Judicial Proceedings Took Place -} AA

On March 23, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained by the on-duty peace criminal court as part of the “corruption” investigation targeting the İBB.

The detention occurred as part of the ongoing “corruption” and “terrorism” investigations at the İBB. The court issued a detention order against İmamoğlu regarding corruption charges, noting “strong suspicion” regarding the charge of “aiding a terrorist organization,” but did not issue a separate detention order on that basis.

Ekrem İmamoğlu has been subjected to judicial proceedings on charges of “establishing and leading a criminal organization,” “accepting bribes,” “embezzlement,” “qualified fraud,” “illegally acquiring personal data,” and “tampering with tenders.” In this context, Murat Ongun, Chairman of the İBB Medya AŞ Board of Directors, and Tuncay Yılmaz, General Manager of İmamoğlu İnşaat Company, were also detained.

İmamoğlu, who gave a 121-page statement at the police station, denied all allegations against him and declared he would not address the questions. During his statement, it was alleged that public funds suffered billions of liras in losses through seven main actions, primarily irregular advertising tenders within İBB subsidiaries such as Kültür AŞ, Medya AŞ, KİPTAŞ, and İSPARK. Among these allegations, it was claimed that public funds suffered losses exceeding four billion Turkish Lira through certain advertising tenders.

İmamoğlu did not respond to questions regarding MASAK reports, stating he could not provide information on documents not presented to him, and dismissed all accusations as “conspiracies, fabrications, and conspiracy theories.”

The second investigation against İmamoğlu concerns the charge of “aiding the PKK/KCK terrorist organization.” In this context, a total of seven individuals have been included in the investigation, including İBB Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat, Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, and Reform Institute Director Mehmet Ali Çalışkan. The court decided to detain Polat, Şahan, and Çalışkan.

The investigation includes allegations that İmamoğlu had connections with individuals linked to the DEM Party, that these individuals were included on some municipal council lists, and that 18 individuals linked to terrorism had switched to the CHP. İmamoğlu denied these allegations, stating that the process was monitored by the Supreme Election Council and that parties prepare lists without external interference.

In his statement, it was indicated that he had contact with fugitive suspect Azad Barış and attended some political analysis meetings alongside DEM Party MPs. İmamoğlu stated these interactions occurred within the framework of publicly available political evaluations and analyses and denied any involvement in illegal activities.

Following claims on some social media accounts that “an administrator has been appointed to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality”, the Disinformation Combat Center (DMM) issued a statement.

In the DMM’s social media statement, it was clarified that the claim was false and that due to the detention of the Istanbul and Beylikdüzü mayors, the Ministry of Interior had temporarily removed them from office as a precautionary measure.

The statement included the following:

"Accordingly, the Istanbul Governor’s Office announced on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, that a deputy mayor would be elected in the Istanbul and Beylikdüzü municipal councils. Therefore, the appointment of an administrator to the relevant municipalities is not under consideration. Do not believe baseless claims aimed at manipulating public opinion."

Following judicial procedures, detained Ekrem İmamoğlu and 50 others were transferred to Marmara Prison.

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was removed from office and arrested as part of the investigation into corruption and urban settlement agreements targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Following this development, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Council convened on 26 March 2025 to elect a new deputy mayor. The meeting was held at the municipality building in Saraçhane, under the chairmanship of Council Second Deputy Chairman Gökhan Gümüşdağ.

For the position of deputy mayor, the CHP Group nominated Council Member Nuri Aslan; the AK Party Group nominated Council Member and Group Deputy Chairman Zeynel Abidin Okul. The election was conducted by secret ballot. In the first round, of the 301 votes cast, 173 went to Aslan, 123 to Okul, and 5 were invalidated.

In the second round, a total of 302 votes were cast, with Aslan receiving 177 votes and Okul 125. As neither candidate achieved the two-thirds majority required in either round, the election proceeded to a third round.

_{İBB Başkan Vekilliği Seçimi, 26 Mart 2025 - Anadolu Ajansı}

In the third round, again 302 votes were cast, with the same vote distribution repeated: Nuri Aslan received 177 votes and Zeynel Abidin Okul received 125. As a simple majority was deemed sufficient in this round, Nuri Aslan was elected as Deputy Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

Following the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) organized a large-scale rally on 29 March 2025 in Maltepe, Istanbul. According to CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, approximately 2.2 million people attended the rally. In his speech at the event, Özgür Özel accused the ruling party of a “palace coup” and claimed that the government sought to suppress the youth and the opposition, but emphasized that this pressure had been firmly rejected by the public.

Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş condemned the arrests of young people and stressed the need for unity among the opposition. A message sent by Ekrem İmamoğlu from prison was read aloud during the rally, and a video generated by artificial intelligence was also broadcast. An online signature campaign under the theme “Freedom for İmamoğlu” was launched, with a target of 27 million signatures announced. Various political parties including the Emek Party, TİP, DEM Party, and the Left Party also participated in the event.

Following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) called for a one-day consumption boycott on 2 April 2025. Led by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, this call targeted both individual consumers and certain companies. The development sparked debates at political, economic, and social levels.

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel described the boycott as a “democratic right” and stated that the call was made to demonstrate public will against the government’s repressive practices. It was emphasized that this action, organized largely in response to youth initiatives, aimed to use consumer power to deliver a political message.

On 2 April, citizens in many cities, especially Istanbul, refrained from shopping, and some cafes and restaurants suspended services. Özgür Özel thanked the youth and small business owners who supported the action, affirming that such democratic responses would continue.

On 24 March 2025, during a speech in Saraçhane, Özgür Özel announced that certain media outlets and brands advertising on these platforms would be boycotted. The announced list includes the following:

• Cafes and retail chains: Espressolab, D&R, İdefix, Demirören AVM
• Furniture and household goods: Kilim Mobilya, İhlas Ev Aletleri
• Energy and fuel: Türk Petrol, Likitgaz – Milangaz
• Lotteries and tourism: Milli Piyango, misli.com, iddaa.com, ETS
• Media organizations: TRT, TGRT, CNN Türk, Turkuaz Medya

The boycott call drew criticism from the ruling camp and the business sector. Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun labeled the action as “the newest link in political impotence.” Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya assessed the call as “sabotage of economic independence.”

The business community also opposed the call. Organizations such as the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), MÜSİAD, TESK, ASKON, and the Istanbul Industry Chamber (İSO) stated that political disputes should be avoided and warned that boycotts could negatively affect production, employment, and commercial stability. Statements were made suggesting that such calls, which may target small business owners and local producers, could harm the economy.

On 26 April 2025, a second wave of operations was carried out as part of the corruption investigation led by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB). The investigation has been conducted under allegations of “establishing and managing a criminal organization,” “membership in an organization,” “embezzlement,” “bribery,” “qualified fraud,” “illegally obtaining personal data,” and “interfering in public tenders.

The investigation initially began with the detention of 25 suspects; in subsequent days, detention orders were issued for an additional 53 suspects under the second wave. Operations conducted in Istanbul, Ankara, and Tekirdağ resulted in the detention of 50 suspects, while efforts to apprehend three others are ongoing.

Among those detained are several prominent figures, including:

• Şafak Başa, General Manager of İSKİ,
• Ali Rıza Akyüz, Deputy Mayor of Bakırköy and İBB Council Member,
• Turan Aydoğan, former CHP Member of Parliament for Istanbul,
• Adem Şanlısoy, Director of the İSKİ Environmental Protection and Control Department,
• Elçin Karaoğlu, Former Director of İBB Boğaziçi Urban Planning,
• Mehmet Şahin, Real Estate Consultant,
• Onur Soytürk, Former General Manager of Istanbul İmar İnşaat AŞ,
• Erdinç Çolak and Onur Aldı, Deputy General Managers of Kültür AŞ,
• Hakan Karaköse, Deputy Director of Advertising at Kültür AŞ,
• Kadriye Kasapoğlu, Director of the İBB Special Office,
• Naim Erol Özgüner, Director of the İBB Information Processing Department,
• Arif Gürkan Alpay, Deputy General Secretary of İBB,
• Murat Yazıcı and Turgut Tuncay Önbilgin, Former Deputy General Secretaries of İBB,
• Mehmet Çakılcıoğlu, Former General Secretary of İBB,
• Zeynep Ayten Gözdem Ongun (wife of Murat Ongun), consultant to İBB and employee of MEDYA AŞ,
• Serap Öbekçi, Director of the İBB Studies and Projects Department,
• Nurten Uğursoy, Director of the İBB Correspondence and Decisions Department,
• Ramazan Gülten, Director of the İBB Urban Planning and Municipal Affairs Department,
• Melih Geçek, General Manager of İSTTELKOM AŞ,
• Çağlar Türkmen, bodyguard of İBB.

Following medical examinations, the detained suspects were taken to the Vatan Campus of the Istanbul Police Directorate, where interrogation proceedings were initiated by the Istanbul Police Directorate’s Unit for Combating Financial Crimes.

As part of the investigation, footage from 12 October 2024 from a hotel was added to the case file. The footage revealed that before İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu met with suspects Yılmaz, Yıldız, Soytekin, Keleş, and Köksal—who are alleged to be the organization’s leaders and financial custodians—his security personnel covered the cameras monitoring the meeting area with black tape.

Searches were conducted at the residences and workplaces of the suspects, resulting in the seizure of various digital materials and documents. It was stated that after the completion of medical checks for the 47 detained suspects, they would be transferred to police custody for questioning.

^{Ekrem İmamoğlu’nun yaptığı toplantı öncesi otel kameralarını kapatan güvenlik Çağlar Türkmen} (AA)

The third wave of the corruption investigation centered on the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), conducted by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office, was carried out on 20 May 2025. The investigation focuses on allegations of irregular tender procedures and bribery within Medya AŞ and Kültür AŞ. Arrest warrants were issued for 22 suspects, of whom 20 were apprehended and brought before the court.

The investigation is based on activities linked to Taner Çetin, Director of the İBB Press, Publication and Public Relations Directorate, who is alleged to have operated under the influence of detained suspect Murat Ongun, Chairman of the Board of Medya AŞ, since Çetin’s tenure as Mayor of Beylikdüzü. It is alleged that Taner Çetin manipulated tender processes in favor of companies close to him, accepted bribes from these firms, and accumulated personal assets through this scheme.

Information submitted to the investigation file by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) revealed that Taner Çetin directed various payments directly from Medya AŞ and Kültür AŞ to companies awarded contracts, and also arranged money transfers to employees of these firms. It was determined that 22 additional suspects were involved in the process where Çetin participated in direct delivery tenders and received bribes from them.

Among those taken into custody were Taner Çetin, Director of the İBB Press, Publication and Public Relations Directorate; his assistant Arzu Can; Serap Karay, Director of İBB Public Relations; Mustafa Karaoğlu, Deputy Director; Onur Gülin, Deputy Mayor of Çeşme; and Musa Özışık, procurement officer. After their statements were taken, these 20 individuals were referred to the court. The prosecution requested detention for 16 of them and judicial supervision for the remaining four.

The Peace Criminal Court decided to detain 13 suspects including Taner Çetin, impose travel bans and signature obligations on six others, and release one suspect under judicial supervision conditions of house arrest and a travel ban.

Previously detained suspect Ertan Yıldız provided a statement on 11 May 2025 seeking to benefit from provisions on effective remorse. Following this development, allegations emerged that pressure had been exerted on Yıldız through lawyers without power of attorney to retract his statement, and that his family had been threatened. In response, the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated a new official investigation. It was alleged that these pressures were directed by the lawyers of Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is accused of being the head of a criminal organization.

As part of the corruption investigation conducted by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office, a new operation was launched targeting İstanbul Ağaç ve Peyzaj AŞ, a subsidiary of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. This operation, carried out on 22 May 2025, focused on allegations of irregularities and bribery in tender processes within the company.

In connection with allegations of corruption and bribery in tender procedures, arrest warrants were issued for seven suspects identified as employees of Ağaç ve Peyzaj AŞ. After questioning at the Istanbul Police Directorate, the suspects were referred to the court.

Following their statements before the prosecution, the seven suspects were referred to the on-duty judge with a request for detention. After evaluation, the court ordered the detention of all seven suspects and their transfer to prison.

Under the investigation launched by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office on 23 May 2025, a fourth wave of operations focused on irregularities involving İSTAÇ, KİPTAŞ, and the Road Maintenance Directorate has been carried out in connection with allegations of corruption against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) and its affiliated enterprises. Simultaneous operations conducted in Istanbul, İzmir, Trabzon, Antalya, Tunceli, and Kocaeli resulted in the detention of a total of 46 suspects.

^{25 Suspects Arrested in Investigations Targeting İBB}(AA)

After completing procedures at the police station, 45 suspects were transferred to court. During the judicial process conducted at the Istanbul Court, the prosecution requested the arrest of 36 suspects and judicial supervision for 10 others. The Peace Criminal Court decided to detain 25 suspects and release 11 under judicial supervision measures including a ban on leaving the country and an obligation to sign periodically.

The 25 detained individuals include public officials, private sector representatives, and municipal employees. Among them are the following names:

İBB Deputy General Secretary Arif Gürkan Alpay, KİPTAŞ Board of Directors Chair Ali Kurt, İSTAÇ Board of Directors Chair Ziya Gökmen Togay, İBB Road Maintenance and Infrastructure Coordination Director Seyfullah Demirel, İBB Rail Systems Director Ceyhun Avşar, İBB Neighborhood Affairs Director Yavuz Saltık, İBB Special Office Director Kadriye Kasapoğlu, Accounting Director Murat Bıyık, Ekrem İmamoğlu’s security director Mustafa Akın, Yapı Merkez Construction managers Mustafa Başar Arıoğlu, Erdem Arıoğlu, Özge Arıoğlu, and various company representatives, employees, and public officials.

The main charges brought against the suspects include “leading or being a member of a criminal organization,” “embezzlement,” “bribery,” “qualified fraud,” “illegally obtaining personal data,” and “interfering with public tenders.” The prosecution’s referral document provides detailed information on the organizational structure and the suspects’ official duties. The allegations against each suspect are directly linked to their respective units. In particular, charges of “destroying, concealing, or altering evidence” have also been brought against İBB Special Office Director Kadriye Kasapoğlu and security director Mustafa Akın.

During the investigation, Kasapoğlu stated in her testimony that a mobile phone attributed to Ekrem İmamoğlu was found at the residence of İBB Information Technology Director Naim Erol Özgüner. According to Özgüner’s statement, the phone was delivered to him on 19 March through staff from the Special Office at Saraçhane Municipality Building. Additionally, numerous HTS recordings of phone calls between Kasapoğlu and other suspects have been included in the investigation file.

In his testimony, security director Mustafa Akın claimed he issued orders to remove CCTV devices from Ekrem İmamoğlu’s presidential residence. The investigation has examined why these devices were removed and rendered inoperable. Akın defended that the devices were removed during relocation for privacy reasons and were intended to be handed over to the relevant unit, denying any intent to conceal information or tamper with evidence.

İBB Neighborhood Affairs Director Yavuz Saltık has been the subject of a tip alleging that he received $600,000 in cash from a lawyer in a bag. Saltık has denied the allegation and stated that the individual in question is a high school classmate. Furthermore, according to the MASAK report, millions of liras transferred to him from various institutions have been described as “huzur hakkı” and similar lawful payments.

2025 yılı itibarıyla İstanbul Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı tarafından yürütülen geniş çaplı yolsuzluk soruşturmaları kapsamında, İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi’ne (İBB) ve bazı ilçe belediyelerine yönelik düzenlenen 5. dalga operasyonuyla yeni bir adli süreç başlatılmıştır. 31 Mayıs 2025 tarihinde gerçekleştirilen bu operasyon, kamu ihalelerinde usulsüzlük, rüşvet, irtikap ve suç örgütü bağlantılarını konu edinmiştir. Soruşturma kapsamında gözaltına alınanlar arasında Cumhuriyet Halk Partili (CHP) beş belediye başkanı ve üst düzey belediye yöneticileri de yer almıştır.

Adliyeye sevk edilen 36 şüpheliden 22’si tutuklanmış, 14 kişi hakkında ise adli kontrol tedbiri uygulanmıştır. Tutuklananlar arasında şu isimler yer almıştır:

• Belediye Başkanları: Büyükçekmece Belediye Başkanı Hasan Akgün, Gaziosmanpaşa Belediye Başkanı Hakan Bahçetepe, Avcılar Belediye Başkanı Utku Caner Çaykara, Ceyhan Belediye Başkanı Kadir Aydar ve Seyhan Belediye Başkanı Oya Tekin.

• Diğer Yöneticiler ve İlgili Kişiler: İBB Genel Sekreter Yardımcısı Erdal Celal Aksoy, İSFALT Genel Müdürü Burak Korzay, Ağaç AŞ Genel Müdürü Ali Sukas, CHP PM Üyesi Baki Aydöner, Beylikdüzü Belediye Başkan Yardımcısı Veysel Erçevik, Büyükçekmece Belediye Başkan Yardımcısı Ömer Kazancı, Avcılar Belediye Başkan Yardımcısı Erhan Daka, CHP milletvekili ve eski ekonomi yöneticisi Aykut Erdoğdu, Sırrı Küçük (CHP milletvekili Özgür Karabat’ın danışmanı), Ebubekir Akın, Yusuf Yadoğlu, Özer Ayık, Celal Tekin ve Gürkan Polat (eski Beylikdüzü Belediye Başkanı’nın asistanı).

Hakimlik kararlarına göre, şüpheliler hakkında “ihaleye fesat karıştırmak”, “rüşvet almak ve vermek”, “suç örgütüne üye olmak” gibi suçlamalar yöneltilmiştir. Özellikle Aykut Erdoğdu hakkında bir firmanın sözleşme tadilatı karşılığında 1 milyon 200 bin dolar rüşvetin aracılığını yaptığına dair iddialar dile getirilmiştir. Erdoğdu, bu suçlamaları reddetmiş ve Ertan Yıldız ile arasında husumet olduğunu ileri sürmüştür.

Savcılık sevk yazılarında, şüphelilerin Ekrem İmamoğlu’nun elebaşı olduğu iddia edilen bir suç örgütü yapısı içerisinde yer aldıkları, bu yapının ihale süreçlerini yönlendirdiği ve çıkar sağladığı ileri sürülmüştür. Erdoğdu’nun bu yapı içinde Fatih Keleş’e bağlı olarak hareket ettiği, Erçevik’in Mehmet Murat Çalık’a bağlı olduğu, Sukas’ın ise ihalelerden elde ettiği rüşvetleri örgüt liderlerine ilettiği belirtilmiştir. Yazılarda ayrıca “örgüt evi” olarak kullanılan adreslerde yapılan aramalarda boş kasalar ve kira sözleşmesi olmayan mekânlar bulunduğu tespitine yer verilmiştir.

Soruşturma kapsamında CHP Genel Başkan Yardımcısı Özgür Karabat’ın danışmanı olan Sırrı Küçük’e de seçim öncesi belediyelerden ihale alan firmalardan para talep edildiği iddiaları yöneltilmiştir. Küçük, tüm suçlamaları reddetmiştir.

2025 yılı itibarıyla İstanbul Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı tarafından yürütülen geniş çaplı yolsuzluk soruşturmaları kapsamında, İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi’ne (İBB) ve bazı ilçe belediyelerine yönelik düzenlenen 5. dalga operasyonuyla yeni bir adli süreç başlatılmıştır. 31 Mayıs 2025 tarihinde gerçekleştirilen bu operasyon, kamu ihalelerinde usulsüzlük, rüşvet, irtikap ve suç örgütü bağlantılarını konu edinmiştir. Soruşturma kapsamında gözaltına alınanlar arasında Cumhuriyet Halk Partili (CHP) beş belediye başkanı ve üst düzey belediye yöneticileri de yer almıştır.

Adliyeye sevk edilen 36 şüpheliden 22’si tutuklanmış, 14 kişi hakkında ise adli kontrol tedbiri uygulanmıştır. Tutuklananlar arasında şu isimler yer almıştır:

• Belediye Başkanları: Büyükçekmece Belediye Başkanı Hasan Akgün, Gaziosmanpaşa Belediye Başkanı Hakan Bahçetepe, Avcılar Belediye Başkanı Utku Caner Çaykara, Ceyhan Belediye Başkanı Kadir Aydar ve Seyhan Belediye Başkanı Oya Tekin.
• Diğer Yöneticiler ve İlgili Kişiler: İBB Genel Sekreter Yardımcısı Erdal Celal Aksoy, İSFALT Genel Müdürü Burak Korzay, Ağaç AŞ Genel Müdürü Ali Sukas, CHP PM Üyesi Baki Aydöner, Beylikdüzü Belediye Başkan Yardımcısı Veysel Erçevik, Büyükçekmece Belediye Başkan Yardımcısı Ömer Kazancı, Avcılar Belediye Başkan Yardımcısı Erhan Daka, CHP milletvekili ve eski ekonomi yöneticisi Aykut Erdoğdu, Sırrı Küçük (CHP milletvekili Özgür Karabat’ın danışmanı), Ebubekir Akın, Yusuf Yadoğlu, Özer Ayık, Celal Tekin ve Gürkan Polat (eski Beylikdüzü Belediye Başkanı’nın asistanı).

Hakimlik kararlarına göre, şüpheliler hakkında “ihaleye fesat karıştırmak”, “rüşvet almak ve vermek”, “suç örgütüne üye olmak” gibi suçlamalar yöneltilmiştir. Özellikle Aykut Erdoğdu hakkında bir firmanın sözleşme tadilatı karşılığında 1 milyon 200 bin dolar rüşvetin aracılığını yaptığına dair iddialar dile getirilmiştir. Erdoğdu, bu suçlamaları reddetmiş ve Ertan Yıldız ile arasında husumet olduğunu ileri sürmüştür.

Savcılık sevk yazılarında, şüphelilerin Ekrem İmamoğlu’nun elebaşı olduğu iddia edilen bir suç örgütü yapısı içerisinde yer aldıkları, bu yapının ihale süreçlerini yönlendirdiği ve çıkar sağladığı ileri sürülmüştür. Erdoğdu’nun bu yapı içinde Fatih Keleş’e bağlı olarak hareket ettiği, Erçevik’in Mehmet Murat Çalık’a bağlı olduğu, Sukas’ın ise ihalelerden elde ettiği rüşvetleri örgüt liderlerine ilettiği belirtilmiştir. Yazılarda ayrıca “örgüt evi” olarak kullanılan adreslerde yapılan aramalarda boş kasalar ve kira sözleşmesi olmayan mekânlar bulunduğu tespitine yer verilmiştir.

Soruşturma kapsamında CHP Genel Başkan Yardımcısı Özgür Karabat’ın danışmanı olan Sırrı Küçük’e de seçim öncesi belediyelerden ihale alan firmalardan para talep edildiği iddiaları yöneltilmiştir. Küçük, tüm suçlamaları reddetmiştir.

2025 yılı itibarıyla İstanbul Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı tarafından yürütülen geniş çaplı yolsuzluk soruşturmaları kapsamında, İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi’ne (İBB) ve bazı ilçe belediyelerine yönelik düzenlenen 5. dalga operasyonuyla yeni bir adli süreç başlatılmıştır. 31 Mayıs 2025 tarihinde gerçekleştirilen bu operasyon, kamu ihalelerinde usulsüzlük, rüşvet, irtikap ve suç örgütü bağlantılarını konu edinmiştir. Soruşturma kapsamında gözaltına alınanlar arasında Cumhuriyet Halk Partili (CHP) beş belediye başkanı ve üst düzey belediye yöneticileri de yer almıştır.

Adliyeye sevk edilen 36 şüpheliden 22’si tutuklanmış, 14 kişi hakkında ise adli kontrol tedbiri uygulanmıştır. Tutuklananlar arasında şu isimler yer almıştır:

• Belediye Başkanları: Büyükçekmece Belediye Başkanı Hasan Akgün, Gaziosmanpaşa Belediye Başkanı Hakan Bahçetepe, Avcılar Belediye Başkanı Utku Caner Çaykara, Ceyhan Belediye Başkanı Kadir Aydar ve Seyhan Belediye Başkanı Oya Tekin.
• Diğer Yöneticiler ve İlgili Kişiler: İBB Genel Sekreter Yardımcısı Erdal Celal Aksoy, İSFALT Genel Müdürü Burak Korzay, Ağaç AŞ Genel Müdürü Ali Sukas, CHP PM Üyesi Baki Aydöner, Beylikdüzü Belediye Başkan Yardımcısı Veysel Erçevik, Büyükçekmece Belediye Başkan Yardımcısı Ömer Kazancı, Avcılar Belediye Başkan Yardımcısı Erhan Daka, CHP milletvekili ve eski ekonomi yöneticisi Aykut Erdoğdu, Sırrı Küçük (CHP milletvekili Özgür Karabat’ın danışmanı), Ebubekir Akın, Yusuf Yadoğlu, Özer Ayık, Celal Tekin ve Gürkan Polat (eski Beylikdüzü Belediye Başkanı’nın asistanı).

Hakimlik kararlarına göre, şüpheliler hakkında “ihaleye fesat karıştırmak”, “rüşvet almak ve vermek”, “suç örgütüne üye olmak” gibi suçlamalar yöneltilmiştir. Özellikle Aykut Erdoğdu hakkında bir firmanın sözleşme tadilatı karşılığında 1 milyon 200 bin dolar rüşvetin aracılığını yaptığına dair iddialar dile getirilmiştir. Erdoğdu, bu suçlamaları reddetmiş ve Ertan Yıldız ile arasında husumet olduğunu ileri sürmüştür.

Savcılık sevk yazılarında, şüphelilerin Ekrem İmamoğlu’nun elebaşı olduğu iddia edilen bir suç örgütü yapısı içerisinde yer aldıkları, bu yapının ihale süreçlerini yönlendirdiği ve çıkar sağladığı ileri sürülmüştür. Erdoğdu’nun bu yapı içinde Fatih Keleş’e bağlı olarak hareket ettiği, Erçevik’in Mehmet Murat Çalık’a bağlı olduğu, Sukas’ın ise ihalelerden elde ettiği rüşvetleri örgüt liderlerine ilettiği belirtilmiştir. Yazılarda ayrıca “örgüt evi” olarak kullanılan adreslerde yapılan aramalarda boş kasalar ve kira sözleşmesi olmayan mekânlar bulunduğu tespitine yer verilmiştir.

Soruşturma kapsamında CHP Genel Başkan Yardımcısı Özgür Karabat’ın danışmanı olan Sırrı Küçük’e de seçim öncesi belediyelerden ihale alan firmalardan para talep edildiği iddiaları yöneltilmiştir. Küçük, tüm suçlamaları reddetmiştir.

2025 yılı itibarıyla İstanbul Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı tarafından yürütülen geniş çaplı yolsuzluk soruşturmaları kapsamında, İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi’ne (İBB) ve bazı ilçe belediyelerine yönelik düzenlenen 5. dalga operasyonuyla yeni bir adli süreç başlatılmıştır. 31 Mayıs 2025 tarihinde gerçekleştirilen bu operasyon, kamu ihalelerinde usulsüzlük, rüşvet, irtikap ve suç örgütü bağlantılarını konu edinmiştir. Soruşturma kapsamında gözaltına alınanlar arasında Cumhuriyet Halk Partili (CHP) beş belediye başkanı ve üst düzey belediye yöneticileri de yer almıştır.

Adliyeye sevk edilen 36 şüpheliden 22’si tutuklanmış, 14 kişi hakkında ise adli kontrol tedbiri uygulanmıştır. Tutuklananlar arasında şu isimler yer almıştır:

• Belediye Başkanları: Büyükçekmece Belediye Başkanı Hasan Akgün, Gaziosmanpaşa Belediye Başkanı Hakan Bahçetepe, Avcılar Belediye Başkanı Utku Caner Çaykara, Ceyhan Belediye Başkanı Kadir Aydar ve Seyhan Belediye Başkanı Oya Tekin.
• Diğer Yöneticiler ve İlgili Kişiler: İBB Genel Sekreter Yardımcısı Erdal Celal Aksoy, İSFALT Genel Müdürü Burak Korzay, Ağaç AŞ Genel Müdürü Ali Sukas, CHP PM Üyesi Baki Aydöner, Beylikdüzü Belediye Başkan Yardımcısı Veysel Erçevik, Büyükçekmece Belediye Başkan Yardımcısı Ömer Kazancı, Avcılar Belediye Başkan Yardımcısı Erhan Daka, CHP milletvekili ve eski ekonomi yöneticisi Aykut Erdoğdu, Sırrı Küçük (CHP milletvekili Özgür Karabat’ın danışmanı), Ebubekir Akın, Yusuf Yadoğlu, Özer Ayık, Celal Tekin ve Gürkan Polat (eski Beylikdüzü Belediye Başkanı’nın asistanı).

Hakimlik kararlarına göre, şüpheliler hakkında “ihaleye fesat karıştırmak”, “rüşvet almak ve vermek”, “suç örgütüne üye olmak” gibi suçlamalar yöneltilmiştir. Özellikle Aykut Erdoğdu hakkında bir firmanın sözleşme tadilatı karşılığında 1 milyon 200 bin dolar rüşvetin aracılığını yaptığına dair iddialar dile getirilmiştir. Erdoğdu, bu suçlamaları reddetmiş ve Ertan Yıldız ile arasında husumet olduğunu ileri sürmüştür.

Savcılık sevk yazılarında, şüphelilerin Ekrem İmamoğlu’nun elebaşı olduğu iddia edilen bir suç örgütü yapısı içerisinde yer aldıkları, bu yapının ihale süreçlerini yönlendirdiği ve çıkar sağladığı ileri sürülmüştür. Erdoğdu’nun bu yapı içinde Fatih Keleş’e bağlı olarak hareket ettiği, Erçevik’in Mehmet Murat Çalık’a bağlı olduğu, Sukas’ın ise ihalelerden elde ettiği rüşvetleri örgüt liderlerine ilettiği belirtilmiştir. Yazılarda ayrıca “örgüt evi” olarak kullanılan adreslerde yapılan aramalarda boş kasalar ve kira sözleşmesi olmayan mekânlar bulunduğu tespitine yer verilmiştir.

Soruşturma kapsamında CHP Genel Başkan Yardımcısı Özgür Karabat’ın danışmanı olan Sırrı Küçük’e de seçim öncesi belediyelerden ihale alan firmalardan para talep edildiği iddiaları yöneltilmiştir. Küçük, tüm suçlamaları reddetmiştir.

The fifth wave of operations conducted under corruption allegations targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) and several district municipalities was carried out simultaneously on 31 May 2025 across various provinces with Istanbul as the central hub. The operation encompasses four separate investigations covering İBB as well as the municipalities of Büyükçekmece, Avcılar, Gaziosmanpaşa, Beşiktaş, Ceyhan and Seyhan. Arrest warrants have been issued for a total of 47 suspects; 34 have been taken into custody, three are confirmed to be in prison and three are located abroad. Search operations are ongoing for 11 individuals who are fugitives.

A key component of the investigations is the probe into the alleged criminal organization led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş. Seeking to benefit from provisions on effective remorse, Aktaş stated in additional testimonies given on 30 April and 11 May 2025 that he was compelled to provide material benefits to mayors and their deputies of several municipalities—including most notably Beşiktaş Municipality—in order to secure payments for services rendered. He further stated that properties and vehicles belonging to these officials were purchased at prices exceeding their market value and that certain candidates were pressured to provide financial contributions to their election campaigns during the 2024 local elections.

Based on Aktaş’s testimonies, arrest warrants have been issued for 27 individuals including İBB Deputy Secretary General Erdal Celal Aksoy, İSFALT General Manager Burak Korzay, Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe, Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara, Ceyhan Mayor Kadir Aydar, Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin, Beşiktaş Deputy Mayor Ozan İş and Avcılar Deputy Mayor Erhan Daka on charges of bribery, offering bribes, embezzlement and tampering with public tenders.

Under the investigation targeting İBB, charges including “leading a criminal organization,” “membership in a criminal organization,” “embezzlement,” “bribery,” “qualified fraud,” “unlawful acquisition of personal data” and “tampering with public tenders” have been brought against several suspects, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was removed from his position as İBB Mayor following his detention. Investigations have determined that former CHP Member of Parliament Aykut Erdoğdu facilitated bribes within İSTAÇ. It was also established that Ali Sukas, General Manager of Ağaç AŞ, demanded money and vehicles in exchange for business dealings and that unauthorized demands under the guise of “commissions” were made under instructions from İBB senior management. Veysel Erçevik, Deputy Mayor of Beylikdüzü, is alleged to have received material benefits in exchange for housing permits. Arrest warrants have been issued for three individuals in this context.

In July 2025, as part of the ongoing corruption investigation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), Kemal Polat Pehlivan, lawyer of Ekrem İmamoğlu, was detained. The investigation is based primarily on testimonies provided by certain individuals under provisions for effective remorse.

Pehlivan was referred to the on-duty judge with a request for detention based on the statements of individuals benefiting from effective remorse, namely Adem Soytekin and Servet Yıldırım, and was subsequently ordered detained by the court. Four other suspects in the same case who also provided testimony under effective remorse provisions, including Ogün Soytekin, were released without detention to face trial.

The investigation is based on allegations of irregularities in public tenders and personnel acquisitions carried out by İBB-affiliated enterprises, resulting in public losses and preferential treatment granted to specific companies. Statements indicating Pehlivan’s involvement in these processes formed the basis for his detention order.

As part of the corruption investigation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), ten individuals includingİBB Sports ClubPresident Fatih Keleş and İBB Private Office Director Kadriye Kasapoğlu were taken into custody.

The individuals taken into custody include:

• Hüseyin Yurttaş, driver of İBB Sports Club President Fatih Keleş,
• Sabri Caner Kırca, driver of Private Office Director Kadriye Kasapoğlu,
• Kadir Öztürk, driver of Murat Ongun, Chairman of the Board of Media AŞ,
• Mustafa Bostancı,
• Accountant Zafer Çimen,
• Businessmen Salih İlhan and Bulut Aydöner,
• Employees of Ağaç AŞ Fatih Yağcı, Murat Or and Ümit Polat.

The operation was carried out on 9 July 2025 by units of the Financial Crimes Prevention Directorate under the Istanbul Provincial Police Directorate.

On July 5, during the seventh operation under the investigation, three additional suspects were taken into custody. Among those detained, Deputy Mayor of Büyükçekmece Ahmet Şahin and his driver Sonkan Turan were arrested. A decision was made to impose judicial control measures on the other suspect, lawyer Onur Büyükhatipoğlu.

On July 18, 2025, the eighth wave of operations was carried out under the corruption investigation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB). A total of 15 individuals were taken into custody, and this number rose to 17 in the following days.

The investigation is being conducted by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office on charges including “bribery,” “accepting bribes,” “corrupting public tenders,” and “membership in a criminal organization.” Among those taken into custody were Deniz Erzincan, Deputy General Manager of Boğaziçi A.Ş., and the company’s procurement staff member Ali Cüneyt Özdemir.

Following interrogation proceedings, on July 21, 2025, the Peace Criminal Court decided to detain the following eight individuals:

• Ali Cüneyt Özdemir
• Can Karataş
• Cengiz Tosun
• Deniz Erzincan
• Erdinç Karataş
• Mehmet Karataş
• Murat Timuçin Altıer
• Taylan Çokyiğit

Judicial control measures were ordered for the remaining nine suspects.

The indictment submitted by the prosecutor’s office to the Peace Criminal Court included detailed allegations regarding the suspects’ actions. It was stated that Murat Timuçin Altıer paid bribes to Deniz Erzincan, General Manager’s Advisor at Boğaziçi Tesis Yönetim Hizmetleri A.Ş., and that this process was corroborated by the detailed testimony of a witness named Barbaros R. It was indicated that part of the bribe remained with Altıer while another part was transferred to Erzincan.

It was also stated that Erzincan, together with procurement staff member Ali Cüneyt Özdemir, improperly directed certain consultancy contracts and received bribes during this process. Investigations into financial transactions revealed that money transfers were made with descriptions such as “commission” and “your commission.” Strong suspicion was emphasized that these individuals were linked to the criminal organization led by Ekrem İmamoğlu and were active members of this organization. The indictment further stated that Taylan Çokyiğit played an active role in the physical delivery of bribe payments, supported by financial records and message logs.

On the other hand, it was noted that suspects Can, Mehmet, and Erdinç Karataş held positions in a construction contracting firm, while Cengiz Tosun held a position in a road construction company. These firms participated as a consortium in the “Kirazlı–Halkalı University Metro” tender. It was reported that despite Yapı Merkezi firm having outstanding social security debts at the time of the tender, it was allowed to participate, and this process was conducted improperly.

The prosecutor’s indictment stated that an agreement for bribery was reached with İBB Sports Club President Fatih Keleş regarding this tender, and that there were shared communication records between the accused and other suspects mentioned in the investigation. All these elements were presented as serious evidence of bribery and corruption in public tenders. Within the scope of the investigation, detention requests were made against the suspects on charges of “corrupting public tenders of state institutions,” “bribery,” “accepting bribes,” and “membership in an organization established for the purpose of committing crimes.”

In the ongoing corruption investigation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the number of suspects has reached 330, and 42 detained suspects have provided statements under the provisions of effective remorse; 39 of them were released.

Among those who provided statements were managers of İBB subsidiary companies, businesspeople, municipal officials, and some political figures. Their testimonies highlighted practices such as tender connections in exchange for bribes, unofficial salary payments, interest-based relationships established through consultancy services, improper procurement procedures, and decision-making mechanisms that were de facto operational but legally invalid.

• General Manager of İBB Kültür A.Ş. Murat Abbas
• Chairman of İBB Subsidiaries Commission Ertan Yıldız
• Businesspeople: Ali Nuhoğlu, Adem Soytekin, Ahmet Sari, İsmail Sari, Ahmet Çiçek, Eyüp Subaşı, Noyan Kırmızıgül, Murat İlbak, Muhittin Palazoğlu
• Advertiser: Hüseyin Kum
• Yapı Merkezi partners: Mustafa Başar Arıoğlu, Erdem Arıoğlu, Özge Arıoğlu
• Other notable individuals: Nezahat Kurt, Berat Çağrı Kapki, Fikret Baydemir, Ziya Gökmen Togay (Chairman of İSTAÇ YK), Servet Yıldırım (driver), Süleyman Atik (lawyer), Altan Gözcü (construction technician), Murat Bıyık (accountant), Ogün Soytekin (brother), Murat Erenler (security)

• Yakup Öner (İBB Cartographic Engineer)
• Sarp Yalçınkaya (businessman)
• Orçun Muhittin Yılmaz (lawyer)

These three individuals were not released because their statements were deemed insufficient to clarify the investigation.

^{22 Temmuz 2025 İtibariyle İBB Yolsuzluk Soruşturmasında Yaşanan Gelişmeler} (AA)

In a statement issued by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office on 11 November 2025, it was indicated that the Organized Crime Investigation Office had prepared an indictment in the course of its investigation into the “İmamoğlu profit-motivated criminal organization.”

^{Suç örgütünün şeması - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

The statement reads: “As of today, we have filed a public prosecution before the Istanbul Heavy Criminal Court against 402 suspects—105 in detention, 170 under judicial supervision, and 7 subject to arrest warrants—and one additional suspect under judicial supervision, totaling 143 distinct acts related to the following charges: establishing and managing a criminal organization, membership in a criminal organization, knowingly and intentionally aiding a criminal organization despite not being part of its hierarchical structure, accepting bribes, offering bribes, embezzlement, corrupting public tenders, fraud against public institutions, violation of the Tax Procedure Law, laundering assets derived from crime, recording personal data, obtaining and disseminating personal data, deliberate environmental pollution, violation of the Forestry Law, publicly disseminating misleading information, causing damage to public property, violation of the Mining Law, and violation of the Forestry Law.”

Of the suspects subject to public prosecution, 99 are identified as members of the organization. The statement specifies that Ekrem İmamoğlu is alleged to be the founder and leader of the organization. It further notes that the suspects Fatih Keleş, Murat Ongun, Ertan Yıldız, Murat Gülibrahimoğlu, Adem Soytekin, and Hüseyin Gün are designated as managers of the organization. The statement also indicates that 92 suspects are confirmed as members, while others, though not formal members, are implicated in related criminal activities.

The indictment contains a total of 142 acts directly or indirectly attributed to Ekrem İmamoğlu and demands prison sentences ranging from 849 years to 2,430 years and six months.

The indictment alleges that as the founder and leader of the organization, Ekrem İmamoğlu directly committed the following offenses:

• Establishing a criminal organization
• Bribery on 12 occasions
• Money laundering on seven occasions
• Defrauding public institutions on seven occasions

Pursuant to Article 220/5 of the Turkish Criminal Code No. 5237, which holds leaders accountable for crimes committed by members within the organization’s activities, a total of 142 acts are subject to prosecution against Ekrem İmamoğlu as the alleged founder and leader of the organization.

• Recording personal data on two occasions
• Obtaining and disseminating personal data on two occasions
• Concealing evidence of crime on four occasions
• Obstructing communications
• Causing damage to public property
• Accepting bribes on 47 occasions
• Publicly disseminating misleading information
• Embezzlement on nine occasions
• Defrauding public institutions on 39 occasions
• Money laundering on four occasions
• Corrupting public tenders on 70 occasions
• Deliberate environmental pollution
• Violation of the Tax Procedure Law
• Violation of the Forestry Law
• Violation of the Mining Law

The statement notes that investigations into certain suspects are still ongoing. The indictment estimates the total financial damage caused by the crimes in question, based on their dates, at approximately 160 billion Turkish Lira and 24 million US dollars.

In the indictment, the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Interior is listed as the “complainant,” while the Ministries of Treasury and Finance, Interior, Energy and Natural Resources, Agriculture and Forestry, as well as the Istanbul Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and the Şişli Municipality are identified as “victims of the crime.”

The indictment stipulates that the suspects Fatih Keleş, Murat Ongun, Murat Gülibrahimoğlu, Adem Soytekin, Ertan Yıldız, and Hüseyin Gün, as managers of the criminal organization, must be punished under the provision for “establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes.” Furthermore, due to their managerial authority and command structure, they are also to be held criminally liable as principal offenders for all crimes committed by subordinate units within the organization, pursuant to Article 220/5 of the same law.

The suspects Yakup Öner, Emrah Bağdatlı, Resul Emrah Şahan, Necati Özkan, Tuncay Yılmaz, Mustafa Akın, Mehmet Pehlivan, Seza Büyükçulha, Hüseyin Köksal, Ali Nuhoğlu, Ali Sukas, İbrahim Bülbüllü, and Melih Geçek are to be prosecuted for “membership in a criminal organization established for the purpose of committing crimes,” in accordance with their organizational roles. Additionally, since these suspects are deemed to hold the status of “special-member,” the indictment requests that their sentences be set above the statutory minimum, reflecting their elevated culpability compared to ordinary members.

Deniz Dörtyol, a member of the organization, voluntarily surrendered and provided information regarding the organization’s structure and activities. Therefore, the indictment requests the application of effective remorse provisions to him. Similarly, the organization managers Adem Soytekin, Hüseyin Gün, and Ertan Yıldız, after their arrest, provided information concerning the organization’s structure and criminal activities, and the indictment also requests the application of effective remorse provisions to them.

The indictment further provides for the application of effective remorse provisions to the following organization members, who, after their arrest, provided information regarding the organization’s structure and criminal activities: Yakup Öner, Süleyman Atik, Sarp Yalçınkaya, Burak Korzay, Adem Başer, Cem Çelik, Gökhan Köseoğlu, Ali Nuhoğlu, Ümit Polat, Murat Kapki, Murat Abbas, Eyüp Subaşı, Vedat Şahin, Mete Maden, Naim Erol Özgüner, Veysel Erçevik, Serpil Altıntaş, Altan Gözcü, Ogün Soytekin, Ziya Gökmen Togay, and Bülent Yılmaz.

Due to the intentional nature of the crimes committed, the indictment seeks the confiscation of assets unlawfully acquired and companies used in the commission of crimes, as previously seized by decisions of Istanbul Peace Criminal Courts, from the following suspects:

"Ekrem İmamoğlu, Fatih Keleş, Murat Ongun, Ertan Yıldız, Adem Soytekin, Murat Gülibrahimoğlu, Emrah Bağdatlı, Hüseyin Köksal, Mustafa Nihat Sütlaş, Tuncay Yılmaz, Ömür Yılmaz, Murat Kapki, Fatoş Pınar Türker, Hakan Karanis, Serhat Kapki, Vedat Şahin, Necati Özkan, Eyüp Subaşı, Gülşah Subaşı, Ahmet Köksal, Alihan Aydın, Alper Aydın, Alperen Aydın, Ali Kurt, Serpil Kadıoğlu, Sarp Yalçınkaya, Seza Büyükçulha, Ali Nuhoğlu, Berat Çağrı Kapki, Elif Kapki, Yiğit Çam, Baran Gönül, Hasan İmamoğlu, Zeynep Ayten Gözdem Ongun, İbrahim Bülbüllü, and Mehmet Selim İmamoğlu."

The indictment alleges that through an organizational structure allegedly established by İmamoğlu at the municipality, he abused his authority to grant unlawful permits to project and landowners, thereby securing financial benefits. It further states that suspects Fatih Keleş and Adem Soytekin, acting on İmamoğlu’s instructions, met with company owners and played a role in bribery transactions; that Mehmet Murat Çalık, then Deputy Mayor responsible for construction, was also instrumental in these operations; and that Tuncay Yılmaz was part of the organizational structure.

The indictment, which details the structure, operation, and schematic hierarchy of the organization, consists of seven sections. It describes how capital accumulated through financial crimes was used not only to enrich the organization’s leadership but also to fund efforts aimed at capturing control of the CHP and to establish financial resources for nominating the organization’s leader as a candidate in future presidential elections, following the 2014 local elections.

The first section outlines the local structure and characteristics of the organization. The second section provides a general summary of the investigation. The third section details the actions carried out by organization leader İmamoğlu during his tenure as Mayor of Beylikdüzü. The fourth section draws an analogy between the organization’s activities and the tentacles of an octopus, illustrating how its operations spread across the entire province during İmamoğlu’s tenure as Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality President.

The fifth section addresses actions carried out through subsidiaries of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The sixth section presents analyses of the organizational roles of the suspects who are members. The seventh section classifies the alleged acts against the suspects subject to public prosecution and specifies the applicable legal provisions.

The schematic diagram of the organization, included in the indictment, places suspect Ekrem İmamoğlu in the position of “organization leader.” Suspects Murat Ongun, Fatih Keleş, Ertan Yıldız, Murat Gülibrahimoğlu, Adem Soytekin, and Hüseyin Gün are depicted as “organization managers.”

The diagram shows that 10 suspects are directly subordinate to organization leader İmamoğlu; 77 are subordinate to Fatih Keleş; 35 to Murat Ongun; 8 to Ertan Yıldız; 7 to Hüseyin Gün; 6 to Murat Gülibrahimoğlu; and 6 to Adem Soytekin.

The suspects directly subordinate to organization leader İmamoğlu are: Mehmet Murat Çalık, Resul Emrah Şahan, Tuncay Yılmaz, Mustafa Akın, Yakup Öner, Mehmet Pehlivan, Yiğit Oğuz Duman, Cevat Kaya, Seza Büyükçulha, and Baki Aydöner.

The “İmamoğlu profit-motivated criminal organization” indictment, prepared by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office as part of its investigation, has been referred to the Istanbul 40th Heavy Criminal Court for evaluation. The court panel is currently reviewing the indictment.

Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office prepared a comprehensive indictment concerning the investigation titled “The Criminal Organization for Imamoğlu’s Personal Gain,” which was accepted by the Istanbul 40th Heavy Criminal Court on 25 November 2025. The indictment identifies several individuals, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, as “organization leaders” and demands their punishment for various criminal offenses.

For the individuals designated as organization leaders, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, numerous penalties are sought for crimes such as “establishing a criminal organization,” “bribery,” “fraud,” “corruption in public tenders,” and “money laundering.” It is noted that some defendants may benefit from the provisions on effective remorse under Article 221 of the Turkish Criminal Code due to their statements and information provided during the investigation.

^{İBB soruşturmasında iddianame kabul edildi} (AA)

In the prepared indictment, the Ministry of Interior Inspection Board is identified as the “complainant.” Several ministries, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Şişli Municipality are listed as institutions that “suffered harm from the crime.” Following its acceptance of the indictment, the Istanbul 40th Heavy Criminal Court will complete the preliminary procedures. After the preliminary phase, the court will announce the date of the first hearing.