05.06.2026 15:00
In the corruption investigation targeting İzmir Buca Municipality, 54 suspects, including current Mayor Görkem Duman, former Mayor Erhan Kılıç, and former CHP District Chairperson Çağdaş Kaya, have been referred to court. Arrests have been requested for 51 individuals on charges of bribery, embezzlement, and membership in a criminal organization.
Within the scope of the operation against Buca Municipality in Izmir, 54 suspects whose procedures at the police department were completed have been referred to court. Among those brought before the judge on charges of 'bribery' and 'embezzlement' within the framework of the hierarchical criminal organization structure, arrest warrants were requested for 51 people, including Buca Mayor Görkem Duman, former mayor Erhan Kılıç, and former CHP District Chairman Çağdaş Kaya.
A hot development occurred in the major 'corruption' operation against Buca Municipality in Izmir. The prosecutor's interrogations of 54 suspects, including current Buca Mayor Görkem Duman and former Buca Mayor Erhan Kılıç, have been completed. Within the scope of the investigation, 51 suspects, including Mayor Duman, were referred to the Duty Criminal Judgeship with a request for arrest, and 3 suspects with a request for judicial control.
PERSONAL EXPENSES AND 'ATM OFFICERS' DETAIL
Striking details emerged in the referral letter sent by the public prosecutor to the Duty Criminal Judgeship. The letter stated that bribes were given and received in some zoning matters, and that municipal and public resources were used for the personal private expenses of the suspects, such as hotels, accommodation, and travel. It was also emphasized that there were individuals in Buca Municipality referred to as 'ATM officers,' who did not actually work at the institution but regularly received unjust income every month.
HIERARCHICAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION EXPOSED
The strong suspicion that the suspects committed their actions within the scope of a 'criminal organization' activity was the main basis of the operation. According to the claims in the investigation file; it was noted that the criminal structure established by former mayor Erhan Kılıç, in which Mahmut Zengin played a significant role, continued its activities with the involvement of authorized persons during the period when Görkem Duman was mayor. On the other hand, it was assessed that Çağdaş Kaya, upon becoming the Buca CHP District Chairman, took over the leadership of the said criminal organization structure, used his political and personal power to control the organization's activities, and directed other individuals. It was stated that the suspects participated in the crime by forming a hierarchical structure around a common interest relationship.
HEAVY ACCUSATIONS AGAINST FORMER AND CURRENT MAYORS
The charges against the critical names referred to the court have also been clarified. According to the referral letter, the requested charges are listed as follows: for Buca Mayor Görkem Duman: 'Being a member of an organization established to commit a crime', 'Taking a bribe', and 'Embezzlement'; for former Mayor Erhan Kılıç: 'Taking a bribe' and 'Being a member of an organization established to commit a crime'; for former CHP Buca District Chairman Çağdaş Kaya: 'Being a member of an organization established to commit a crime', 'Embezzlement', and 'Taking a bribe'.
The procedures of the suspects referred to the judgeship with an arrest warrant are ongoing at the courthouse.