16.10.2026 19:43
Seven people were arrested in the investigation conducted against Cafer Mahiroğlu, owner of Halk TV, on charges of bribery, bid rigging, and money laundering. Among those arrested are Harika Akkaya, Murat Koçak, Ali Turan, Süleyman Özen, Armağan Küçük, Mediha Burumoğlu, and Mehmet Necati Yağcı.
Twelve suspects detained within the scope of the investigation conducted against Cafer Mahiroğlu for the crimes of “bribery,” “bid rigging,” and “money laundering of assets derived from crime” were referred to the courthouse after the completion of their police procedures.
REMAND IN CUSTODY ORDER FOR 7 SUSPECTS
Among the suspects brought before the court, Harika Akkaya, Murat Koçak, Ali Turan, Süleyman Özen, Armağan Küçük, Mediha Burumoğlu, and Mehmet Necati Yağcı were remanded in custody. While house arrest was ordered for Erkan Yağcı, Hasan Özdemir, İbrahim Özdemir, and Mustafa Özdemir, judicial control measures were imposed on Halit Akın.
HALK TV INVESTIGATION
In a statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, it was conveyed that, under the coordination of the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, by the Istanbul Provincial Police Department Financial Crimes Combat Branch Directorate, within the scope of the investigation conducted against suspect Cafer Mahiroğlu for the crimes of “bribery,” “bid rigging,” and “money laundering of assets derived from crime,” data obtained by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), secret witness statements, suspect statements, and other information and documents within the scope of the file were evaluated together.
In the examinations conducted within this scope, in the statement noting that suspect Mahiroğlu used his connections with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality to ensure the establishment of Bustech Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Services Joint Stock Company, it was stated that findings were reached that Mahiroğlu transferred the management of the company to people he designated and that unfair benefits were obtained through transactions carried out within the scope of municipal tenders.
In the statement, it was recorded that, in line with the statements and records within the scope of the file, unrecorded bribery payments of 14 million 464 thousand lira were made in connection with the tender processes, that in the works received through the relevant company, payments were made at exorbitant prices above the tender amounts, and that it was determined that the revenues obtained were transferred to companies owned by the suspect or considered to be affiliated with the suspect.
MAHİROĞLU'S BILLION-LIRA MONEY TRANSACTIONS UNDER SCRUTINY
In examinations on the data obtained by MASAK, in the statement stating that the total transaction volume of companies with which suspect Mahiroğlu was associated as a partner or manager was 30 billion 352 million 37 thousand 389 lira 15 kuruş, it was reported that in examinations on the suspect’s personal bank accounts, money inflow totaling 1 billion 62 million 260 thousand 3 lira 28 kuruş through 459 separate transactions and money outflow totaling 1 billion 118 million 591 thousand 33 lira 88 kuruş through 564 separate transactions were determined to have occurred.
In the statement conveyed that money transfers made abroad through companies of which Mahiroğlu was a manager were also taken under examination and that high-volume foreign exchange-based transactions related to the relevant financial movements were identified, it was stated that in examinations of the personal bank accounts of Mahiroğlu and his first-degree relatives and the accounts of companies in which he had partnership or management relationships, high-value international SWIFT money transfers were found, and it was understood that there were inconsistencies between asset acquisitions and declared income.
In the statement, on the other hand, it was stated that there was a wanted record for Mahiroğlu for the crime of “bid rigging” within the scope of a separate investigation conducted into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), and that there were also findings that he left the country on March 10, 2025.
In the statement reporting that, in line with the evidence obtained within the scope of the investigation, detention orders were issued for 17 suspects, and that as a result of a simultaneous operation, 11 suspects were detained, it was recorded that in the investigations, 4 of the suspects were found to be abroad, 1 was in a penal institution, and efforts to capture 1 suspect were ongoing.
In the statement, it was conveyed that companies determined to be owned by, managed by, or affiliated with suspect Mahiroğlu were seized by a decision of the Criminal Judgeship of Peace, and it was decided to appoint the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) as trustee.
Within the scope of the investigation, it was learned that suspects Harika Akkaya, Hasan Özdemir, İbrahim Özdemir, Armağan Küçük, Mustafa Özdemir, Halit Akın, Ali Turan, Mediha Burumoğlu, Murat Koçak, Erkan Yağcı, and Süleyman Özen were detained.
A TRUSTEE HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO HALK TV
In the investigation, in which information was obtained that suspects Cafer Mahiroğlu, Hakan Arıcan, Mehmet Necati Yağcı, and Sevim Kul were abroad, it was determined that suspect Doruk Bulut was in prison for another crime and suspect Fatih Yadoğlu was a fugitive.
On the other hand, within the scope of the investigation, the Criminal Judgeship of Peace imposed an access ban on the social media accounts of Halk TV, to which TMSF had been appointed as trustee.