Istanbul corruption probe: 92 suspects, including Imamoglu, face arrest in IBB investigation

Police forces cordon off the area outside the Caglayan courthouse where Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is due to appear before prosecutors following his arrest in connection with a "terror" probe, in Istanbul, on March 22, 2025 (AFP Photo)

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has requested the arrest of 92 individuals in connection with two separate investigations targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), including Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

Imamoglu faces separate arrest requests in dual investigations

IBB Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was detained on March 19, has been referred to the criminal court of peace with separate arrest requests for:

Aiding a terrorist organization
Corruption-related offenses

Alongside Imamoglu, Sisli Mayor Resul Emrah Sahan, Reform Foundation President Mehmet Ali Caliskan, and IBB Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat also face arrest on allegations of aiding an armed terrorist organization as part of a terrorism-related investigation.

This photograph shows banners with the image of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu displayed on a pole near the Istanbul Municipality headquarters, in Istanbul on March 19, 2025 (AFP Photo)

Expanded scope of corruption probe

In the ongoing corruption investigation:

Five suspects were referred on charges of establishing and leading a criminal organization, rigging public tenders, receiving bribes, embezzlement, and illegally obtaining personal data
84 suspects were referred for membership in a criminal organization, bribery, and offering bribes

These individuals were taken into custody earlier and transferred to the Istanbul Courthouse in Caglayan.

Their initial statements were completed by the prosecutor’s office before being sent to the court.

A cat sits as a person walks by police forces cordoning off the area outside the Caglayan courthouse in Istanbul, on March 22, 2025 (AFP Photo)

Total of 92 arrest requests

With the addition of the four high-profile figures, including Mayor Imamoglu, the total number of individuals referred to the court with arrest requests in the two ongoing investigations has reached 92.

The legal proceedings before the judgeship of peace are currently ongoing. No official ruling on arrests has been announced yet.

March 23, 2025 09:25 AM GMT+03:00