23.04.2026 00:53
Ataşehir Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, who was arrested in a bribery investigation, has been removed from his post.
Ataşehir Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, who was arrested in a bribery investigation, has been removed from his position.
ONURSAL ADIGÜZEL REMOVED FROM DUTY
A new development has occurred regarding Ataşehir Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, who was arrested along with 19 others in a bribery investigation conducted by the Istanbul Anatolian Republic Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Adıgüzel was removed from his position by the Ministry of Interior.
The statement from the Ministry included the following expressions: "Ataşehir Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel has been temporarily removed from duty by the Ministry of Interior as a precautionary measure, in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipality Law No. 5393, following his arrest by the Istanbul Anatolian 4th Criminal Court of Peace's decision dated 22.04.2026 with inquiry number 2026/381, within the scope of the investigation conducted against him for the crimes of 'Establishing an Organization for the Purpose of Committing Crime and Accepting Bribery.'"
BRIBERY INVESTIGATION TARGETING ATAŞEHIR MUNICIPALITY
The Istanbul Anatolian Republic Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation into the crimes of "bribery," "establishing, managing, and being a member of an organization for the purpose of committing crime," and "tampering with tenders" based on allegations that Ataşehir Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, Deputy Mayors Birkan Birol Yıldız, Orhan Aydoğdu, and Oğuz Kaya, along with unit managers and personnel, accepted bribes related to tender, zoning, and occupancy permit procedures. Within the scope of the investigation, MASAK reports and HTS records belonging to the suspects were obtained. It was announced that evidence was found indicating that procedures regarding occupancy and construction permits were carried out in exchange for bribes.
As a result of the work carried out by the Istanbul Provincial Police Department's Financial Crimes Investigation Branch Directorate, the elements of the crime and the organizational structure were determined in detail. Examinations revealed that bribes amounting to millions of dollars were received from companies operating within the boundaries of Ataşehir Municipality in exchange for construction permits and occupancy procedures, and during this process, permit procedures were carried out in exchange for bribes.
19 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED
In the morning, the suspects, including Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, were referred to the courthouse. Within the scope of the investigation, 19 suspects, including Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, out of a total of 20 suspects (including 2 later apprehended suspects), were arrested by the Criminal Court of Peace and sent to prison. Suspect Nimet Karademir was released under judicial control conditions.