23.06.2026 06:40
In the bribery operation targeting the Adalar Municipality, 35 people, including Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat who was detained, have been arrested.
The procedures of 42 suspects, who were detained on June 19 in an operation coordinated by the Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office by teams from the Istanbul Police Department Financial Crimes Branch regarding the issuance of illegal permits in exchange for bribes in the Islands region, have been completed. After undergoing health checks, the suspects were taken to the Istanbul Anatolian Courthouse.
35 PEOPLE ARRESTED
After their statements were taken at the prosecutor's office, 35 people, including Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat, were arrested and referred to the duty criminal judgeship.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In a statement from the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that Islands Mayor Akpolat, Deputy Mayors Hüseyin Yılmaz and Fırat Durak, along with relevant unit managers and staff, issued illegal permits in exchange for bribes in the Islands region, which has natural and archaeological site status.
The statement added that, according to the evidence in the file, municipality officials and business owners negotiated over bribes, and it was understood that the bribe money was delivered in person to municipality officials or individuals connected to them. It was stated that 47 suspects were identified as involved in 40 identified actions at this stage.
In a simultaneous operation carried out at 90 addresses in Istanbul and 3 provinces to seize evidence and apprehend the suspects, 41 suspects, including Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat, were detained. One more suspect was later apprehended. Additionally, 258 thousand dollars and 13 bracelets found during a search at the residence of contractor M.Ö., a former Islands Council member, were seized.
WHO IS ALİ ERCAN AKPOLAT?
Ali Ercan Akpolat was born on July 2, 1969, in Büyükada, Istanbul. He completed his primary, secondary, and high school education in the Islands. He began his political career at the age of 18 within the SHP. He later engaged in politics in the Republican People's Party (CHP). He served as the CHP Islands District Chair, Deputy Mayor of the Islands Municipality, and Deputy Chair of the CHP Istanbul Provincial Directorate.
Active in the tourism sector, Akpolat managed a hotel on Büyükada. He also dealt with newspaper distribution in the Islands under Yaysat and Birleşik Basın Dağıtım franchises for a period.
Interested in sports, Akpolat started his football career at the Adalar Sports Club. A marathon runner, Akpolat holds a Three-Star Master Diver license. He has participated in various underwater projects and diving studies.
He was elected as the Islands Mayor as the CHP candidate in the March 31, 2024 Local Elections. He assumed office on April 3, 2024, after receiving his certificate of election.