Imamoglu's associate released under house arrest after bribery confession in Istanbul probe

Seyfi Beyaz, founder of Beyaz Insaat and a long-time business associate of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) former Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, has been released under house arrest after cooperating with authorities in a major corruption and bribery investigation.

Beyaz was arrested in April as part of a broad inquiry into irregularities related to public projects in Istanbul’s Beylikduzu district, where Imamoglu previously served as mayor. He is alleged to have played a key role in Imamoglu’s financial dealings.

Confession under remorse law

Beyaz testified under Türkiye’s "effective remorse" law, which grants leniency in exchange for full cooperation. In his statement, he claimed that he was asked to pay a $5 million bribe for a shopping mall project in Bakirkoy. He identified Ali Riza Akyuz, deputy mayor of Bakirkoy, responsible for zoning, and Suleyman Atik as those who conveyed the demand. Beyaz said he reported the matter to the Presidential Communications Center (CIMER).

He also made significant statements about Adem Soytekin, alleged to be Imamoglu’s financial proxy. Although Beyaz denied any official partnership with Soytekin, he confirmed that three rough-construction phases of his company’s projects were executed by Soytekin, including the Teras Park Shopping Mall in Beylikduzu.

Who is Seyfi Beyaz?

Seyfi Beyaz is the chairman and co-founder of Beyaz Insaat. Born in Gumushane, he completed his secondary education in Istanbul and graduated from Canakkale Vocational School. In 1980, he co-founded the company with his father, Ahmet Beyaz, and brother, Muzaffer Beyaz.

Since its founding, Beyaz Insaat has completed more than 200 residential, commercial, and retail projects throughout Istanbul. Key developments include Beyaz City, Beyaz Vadi Residences, Beyaz Bahce Konaklari in Beylikduzu, and the Capacity Shopping Mall in Bakirkoy.

Widening investigation: Who else testified?

The investigation, which intensified in April 2025, has led to multiple arrests and a growing number of informants providing statements.

• Murat Abbas, general manager of IBB Kultur A.S., testified under the effective remorse law. He described how tender processes were manipulated, winners pre-selected, and funds transferred. He also claimed a meeting was held prior to the operation, suggesting some officials had advance knowledge.
• Ertan Yildiz, a senior advisor to Imamoglu, confessed to involvement in a bribery scheme. He stated his professional relationship with Imamoglu began in 2013 and provided details on the corruption network.
• Meral Cakir, a complainant in the investigation, testified that her fiance, Ahmet Cicek, issued fraudulent invoices to businessmen Murat Kapki and Mehmet Muhittin Palazoglu.
• Noyan Kirmizigul confessed to receiving bribes during the third phase of the operation.
• Mehmet Muhittin Palazoglu, a businessman, also testified under the remorse law and is reported to have shared critical information with prosecutors.

The investigation, overseen by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Gendarmerie Cybercrime Division, remains ongoing and is expected to broaden in the coming weeks.

May 28, 2025 11:35 AM GMT+03:00