30.10.2026 12:40
In the investigation into allegations that irregularities were committed in tenders at Bakırköy Municipality and that business owners seeking workplace licenses were asked for unlawful payments, 63 people, including 5 deputy mayors and 2 municipal council members, were detained. 61 suspects whose procedures at the police department were completed were referred to the courthouse; 42 tender files for the years 2024-2026 were subjected to expert examination.
Within the scope of the investigation launched into allegations that irregularities were committed in some tenders at Bakırköy Municipality and that business owners seeking a workplace opening and operation license were asked for money in violation of the law, 61 suspects who were detained were referred to the courthouse. It was learned that the procedures of the other 2 suspects in detention will be completed and they will be referred to the courthouse during the day.
CLAIM THAT PERMITS WERE HELD FOR THOSE WHO DID NOT PAY
It was stated by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office that an investigation was launched upon reports that public loss was caused as a result of irregularities constituting crimes in the tender files regarding the purchase of goods and services by the Bakırköy Municipality, that money was unlawfully requested from business owners applying for a workplace opening and operation license, and that the license procedures of businesses that did not pay the requested amount were left pending. Within the scope of the investigation, an expert examination was conducted on 42 tender files subject to open and negotiated procedures carried out by different directorates of Bakırköy Municipality between 2024 and 2026. While the HTS records of the suspects and the reports of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) were examined, communication interception and technical surveillance activities were carried out.
DEPUTY MAYORS ALSO DETAINED
Within the investigation, a detention decision was issued for 76 suspects who were assessed to have participated in the crimes of rigging a tender and graft. In operations organized by the Organized Crime Branch Directorate of the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command, 63 suspects were detained, including deputy mayors Nurcan Alan, Ali Rıza Akyüz, Cemalettin Özdemir, Arda Karadağ, Abdülhamit Pehlivan, 2 council members, and some branch directors.
61 SUSPECTS REFERRED TO THE COURTHOUSE
61 suspects whose procedures at the police station were completed were referred to the Bakırköy Courthouse. It was learned that the statement procedures of the other 2 suspects in detention are continuing at the gendarmerie and that they will be referred during the day.