15.06.2026 20:00
In the scope of an investigation carried out on allegations of irregularities in some works and transactions at the Silivri Municipality, 11 of the 18 suspects taken into custody, including Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu, were referred to the criminal magistrates' court with a request for arrest. For the other 7 suspects, judicial control was requested.
The procedures of the 18 suspects, who were taken into custody in an operation conducted by the Istanbul Provincial Police Department Financial Crimes Branch Directorate under the coordination of the Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, upon the determination that some works and transactions within the Silivri Municipality were used for the purpose of obtaining benefits, and that there were irregularities in processes such as personnel recruitment to the municipality, business transfer and leasing, zoning, permits, sealing, illegal construction, property acquisition, and municipal real estate sales, have been completed.
ARREST DEMAND FOR 11 SUSPECTS INCLUDING BALCIOĞLU
The suspects, including Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu and Deputy Mayor Fatih Yavuz, who were brought to Silivri Courthouse after undergoing health checks at Bayrampaşa State Hospital, have been processed.
Among the suspects questioned at the prosecutor's office, Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu was referred to the criminal judgeship of peace on charges of "establishing an organization to commit a crime," "accepting bribes," and "laundering property values derived from crime"; Aşkın Kaynar, Serdar Tuna, Gökhan Tuna, Adem Tuna, İbrahim Kömür, Aykut Batur, and Fatih Yavuz on charges of "being a member of an organization established to commit a crime," "accepting bribes and mediating"; Yavuz Dirik on charges of "being a member of an organization to commit a crime," "laundering property values derived from crime"; and Adem Kalaba and Nihat Nahit Sarayönü on charges of "giving bribes," with a request for arrest.
The prosecutor's office sent the other 7 suspects to the court with a request for judicial control measures.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had determined that some works and transactions within the municipality were used for the purpose of obtaining benefits, and that there were irregularities in processes such as personnel recruitment to the municipality, business transfer and leasing, zoning, permits, sealing, illegal construction, property acquisition, and municipal real estate sales.
An expert determination was made that a public loss of 21,522,717 Turkish lira occurred due to the sale of a municipal real estate classified as unregistered/park area at a low price.
Based on these determinations, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the crimes of "establishing and managing an organization to commit a crime," "being a member of an organization," "accepting and giving bribes," "extortion," "trading in influence," "misuse of office," "bid rigging," "fraud in contract performance," "causing zoning pollution," and "laundering property values derived from crime."
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued a detention decision for the suspects, citing strong suspicion that the alleged acts were committed within an organized structure, and that Silivri Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu, considered the founder and manager of the organization, along with other suspects acting with him, obtained unjust benefits by exerting influence over municipal works and transactions.
In a simultaneous operation conducted by the Istanbul Provincial Police Department Financial Crimes Branch Directorate teams, Silivri Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu, Deputy Mayor Fatih Yavuz, CHP Silivri Municipal Council Member Aykut Batur, Private Secretary Manager Aşkın Kaynar, former CHP Silivri District Head İbrahim Kömür, Silivri Municipality Police Officer Mustafa Demirayak, Private Secretary Manager Aşkın Kaynar's driver Serdar Tuna, construction worker Yalçın Tuna from Özbingöl Plastik ve Alüminyum Doğrama Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi, sales staff/retiree Pınar Kalaba from Erstream Yayıncılık AŞ, Adem Kalaba from Martı Denizcilik ve Gemi İşletmeciliği AŞ, secretary/retiree Ayla Can from Spot Denizcilik AŞ, Chairman of the Board of Directors Yavuz Dirik from Bektaşoğlu Döviz Ticareti Sınırlı Yetkili Müessese AŞ, partner Nihat Nahit Sarayönü from Saray Deniz Malzemeleri ve Yatçılık Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi, fireplace craftsman Murat Tuna from Kale Şömine İnşaat Taahhüt Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi, company partner Gökhan Tuna from Şah Otomotiv İnşaat Sanayi Ticaret Limited Şirketi, partner Naci Aydın from AYM Danışmanlık İnşaat Taahhüt Ticaret Limited Şirketi, Adem Tuna, and Gökhan Bıçak were apprehended.
Police teams also conducted a search at the municipal building.