22.04.2026 07:00
In the investigation conducted over allegations of bribery related to tender, zoning, and occupancy permit procedures at Ataşehir Municipality, 19 suspects, including Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, who were detained, have been arrested.
In the bribery investigation targeting Ataşehir Municipality, 19 suspects, including Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, who was detained, have been arrested.
INVESTIGATION WAS INITIATED
The Istanbul Anatolia Republic Chief Public Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation on charges of "bribery," "establishing, managing, and being a member of an organization for the purpose of committing crimes," and "tampering with tenders" following allegations that Ataşehir Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, deputy mayors Birkan Birol Yıldız, Orhan Aydoğdu, and Oğuz Kaya, along with unit managers and personnel, received bribes related to tender, zoning, and occupancy permit procedures.
REVEALED THROUGH MASAK REPORTS
Within the scope of the investigation, MASAK reports and HTS records belonging to the suspects were obtained, and it was found that procedures for occupancy and construction permits were conducted in exchange for bribes. As a result of work carried out by the Istanbul Police Department's Financial Crimes Investigation Branch, the elements of the crime and the organizational structure were identified in detail.
"BRIBERY AMOUNTING TO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS RECEIVED"
Examinations revealed that bribes amounting to millions of dollars were received from companies operating within the boundaries of Ataşehir Municipality in exchange for construction permit and occupancy procedures, and during this process, permit procedures were carried out in return for bribes. It was also determined that municipal officials and some company owners acted together, bribery amounts were determined based on the nature of the projects, and the bribes received were distributed according to position and authority within the municipality.
20 SUSPECTS WERE DETAINED
In a simultaneous operation conducted at 45 addresses in Istanbul to uncover the activities of the criminal organization, secure evidence, and capture the suspects, 20 suspects, including Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, were detained.
DETAINED INDIVIDUALS
In addition to Ataşehir Mayor Adıgüzel, the detained suspects are as follows: "Deputy Mayor Oğuz Kaya, Deputy Mayor Orhan Aydoğdu, Deputy Mayor Birkan Birol Yıldız, Financial Affairs Manager Mürteza Kutluk, Private Office Manager Alpay Arslan, Construction Control Manager Aysun Gökçen, Permit and Inspection Manager Basri Onur Dedetaş, Plan Project Manager Nimet Karademir, Zoning Permit Manager Gülbin Ergünay, Construction Zoning Manager Ezgi Nur Yılmaz, architect Aslı Sevinç Afat, deputy police commissioner Mehmet Yılmaz, Birkan Birol Yıldız's driver Çağlar Kaya, Onursal Adıgüzel's driver Doğancan Topal, Mesut Bayram from a construction company, Fatih Velioğlu from an architecture firm, municipal employee Haydar Battal, Murat Gerger and Cengiz Gündoğan from a construction company."
PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE PROCEDURES LASTED 11 HOURS
While the prosecutor's office procedures lasted approximately 11 hours, it was announced around 21:00 that 19 individuals, except for one person, were referred to the court with a request for arrest. It was learned that Ataşehir Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, among those referred to the court with an arrest request, was charged with "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes."
ARREST FOR 19 INDIVIDUALS
Around 06:30, an arrest decision was issued for 10 individuals, including Ataşehir Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel. Thus, after a judicial process lasting approximately 20 hours, the total number of arrested individuals rose to 19.