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Istanbul police detained 30 suspects out of 47 individuals for whom detention orders were issued in four separate corruption investigations, including former Republican People's Party (CHP) Member of Parliament Aykut Erdogdu and Avcilar Municipality Mayor Utku Caner Caykara.
Police teams determined that three suspects are currently in prison, three are abroad, and operations continue to apprehend 13 fugitive suspects who remain at large.
During simultaneous operations conducted by police teams, searches were carried out at Avcilar, Buyukcekmece, and Gaziosmanpasa municipality buildings as part of the investigations.
Police teams conducted simultaneous operations this morning at Seyhan and Ceyhan municipalities in Adana province as part of the Istanbul-based corruption investigations, according to initial reports.
Teams from Adana Provincial Police Department's Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Unit entered municipal buildings and conducted searches as part of four separate investigations overseen by Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Security measures were heightened around the Seyhan Municipality building on Turhan Cemal Beriker Boulevard, with riot police teams and a water cannon vehicle positioned as precautionary measures.
Police are currently carrying out detention procedures for the 27 suspects, including Ceyhan Municipality Mayor Kadir Aydar and Seyhan Municipality Mayor Oya Tekin, who were named in the detention orders.
The largest investigation centers on an alleged criminal organization reportedly led by Aziz Ihsan Aktas, who provided testimony under effective remorse provisions on April 30 and May 11.
According to prosecutors, Aktas stated in his testimony that municipalities, primarily Besiktas Municipality, made progress payments in exchange for material benefits from contracts he secured.
Aktas described being forced to pay money to mayors and deputy mayors, purchase their real estate and vehicles at inflated prices, and provide money and vehicles for mayoral candidates' election campaigns during the 2024 local elections.
Based on Aktas's testimony, prosecutors issued detention orders for 27 suspects on charges of "taking bribes," "giving bribes," "extortion," and "bid manipulation."
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has issued detention orders for 47 individuals across four separate corruption investigations, including former CHP Member of Parliament Erdogdu and five district mayors.
The investigations involve alleged bribery, extortion, bid manipulation, and fraud schemes within various Istanbul municipal administrations and related organizations.
The 27 suspects include several prominent municipal officials:
A separate investigation into Buyukcekmece Municipality resulted in detention orders for five suspects, including Mayor Hasan Akgun and Deputy Mayor Omer Kazanci.
Prosecutors determined that municipal officials allegedly forced construction companies seeking building permits and occupancy licenses to provide villas, apartments, or make donations to the Buyukcekmece Basketball Team as sponsorship.
The investigation found that officials denied construction and occupancy permits to business owners who refused these demands, forcing some to comply due to pressure.
Additionally, prosecutors discovered that the mayor's relatives allegedly managed excavation work in the district and profited by illegally dumping excavated materials in unauthorized areas.
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The third investigation focuses on Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, involving suspects charged with "being a crime organization manager," "being a member of a crime organization," "extortion," "bribery," "qualified fraud," "unlawfully obtaining personal data," and "bid manipulation."
The investigation revealed that Erdogdu allegedly facilitated bribery within Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (ISTAC).
Prosecutors also determined that Agac AS General Manager Ali Sukas allegedly demanded money and vehicles from individuals and companies conducting business, requesting money under the name of "commission" based on instructions from IMM's senior management.
Beylikduzu Municipality Deputy Mayor Veysel Ercevik allegedly obtained material benefits from contractors in exchange for granting occupancy permits for construction projects in the area.
The fourth investigation involves nine suspects in an alleged fraud scheme related to the Besiktas Municipality's Cultural and Social Affairs Directorate's procurement for 2019 Republic Day celebrations on Oct. 29.
The investigation began following a complaint about direct procurement methods used for the celebrations.
Prosecutors found that Besiktas Municipality Deputy Mayor Alican Abaci, current Avcilar Municipality Deputy Mayor Mehmet Mandaci (who served as Cultural and Social Affairs Director at the time), and current Buyukcekmece Municipality Deputy Mayor Riza Can Ozdemir allegedly awarded contracts to shell companies lacking proper qualifications and engaged in irregular procedures that harmed public finances.
Nine of eleven suspects received detention orders on charges of "fraud to the detriment of public institutions" and "forgery of official documents." Two suspects in this investigation are already detained.
Police teams have successfully detained 30 of the 47 suspects for whom detention orders were issued across the four corruption investigations.
During the operations, police determined the status of all suspects:
The investigations represent significant anti-corruption efforts targeting multiple levels of municipal government in Istanbul, Türkiye's largest city and commercial center.
Municipal building searches were conducted at Avcilar, Buyukcekmece, and Gaziosmanpasa municipalities as part of the evidence-gathering operations.
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