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Turkish authorities have completed a sprawling 10-month corruption investigation, filing a 576-page indictment against 200 people, including seven mayors from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), in what prosecutors describe as an organized bid-rigging operation.
The indictment, prepared by Istanbul's Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crimes, charges businessman Aziz Ihsan Aktas with leading a criminal organization that allegedly bribed municipal officials to secure lucrative public contracts. Forty of the defendants remain in custody.
Prosecutors are seeking between 270 and 704 years in prison for Aktas on charges including forming a criminal organization, bid-rigging, forgery of official and private documents, fraud against public institutions, bribery, and money laundering.
Besiktas Mayor Riza Akpolat faces the most serious charges among the municipal leaders. Arrested on Jan. 17, Akpolat is accused of membership in a criminal organization, 26 counts of bid-rigging, document forgery, fraud, four counts of bribery, money laundering and illicit enrichment. Prosecutors are seeking between 159 and 415 years in prison plus fines ranging from 5 million to 10 million Turkish lira.
Other mayors charged include Adana Metropolitan Mayor Zeydan Karalar, Adiyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere, Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Ozer, Avcilar Mayor Utku Caner Caykara, Ceyhan Mayor Kadir Aydar, and Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin. The requested sentences range from three to 18 years depending on the charges.
The case against Gaziosmanpasa Mayor Hakan Bahcetepe, who has been detained since May 31, was separated from the main indictment and continues as an independent investigation.
According to the indictment, Aktas built his business empire beginning in 2015 through his company Bilginay Temizlik, which specialized in cleaning services, staffing, and park maintenance contracts with government agencies. The indictment describes how Aktas registered companies under relatives' and employees' names to avoid scrutiny and minimize legal liability in potential investigations.
The document alleges Aktas expanded his operation significantly after Ekrem Imamoglu became Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality mayor, shifting focus to Istanbul-area contracts. From 2020 onward, prosecutors say, companies controlled by Aktas won bids from major municipal entities including IETT, Isfalt, IGDAS, and several district municipalities.
"The top is me, I came," Aktas allegedly said in an audio recording provided by witness Arif Orta, which prosecutors cite as evidence of his leadership role.
Besiktas Municipality allegedly became the organization's largest source of contracts. The indictment claims Aktas established a bribery relationship with Akpolat and deputy mayors to dominate the municipality's bidding system.
Prosecutors also allege that before the 2024 local elections, Aktas provided cash and vehicles to various CHP politicians in an effort to maintain his network and secure future contracts. The indictment claims he offered money to Imamoglu through CHP lawmaker Ozgur Karabat, provided vehicles and cash to Caykara in Avcilar, and supplied vehicles to other party officials.
The investigation describes a hierarchical organization with absolute loyalty to Aktas and strict adherence to his orders. Prosecutors say Aktas used approximately 20 companies to facilitate fund transfers through fraudulent invoicing schemes, enabling rapid economic growth of his business network.
The indictment identifies 63 separate criminal acts and lists 19 victims. Prosecutors have requested confiscation of assets obtained through the alleged criminal activities.
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