27.09.2025 13:12
In the investigation into the concert organized by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB), 3 former municipal employees and 2 owners of event organizing companies were arrested on the grounds of strong suspicion of committing the crimes of 'embezzlement' and 'interfering with the tender of public institutions or organizations.'
In the investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the allegations of public damage in the expenses made for the concerts organized by ABB between 2021-2024, 4 former municipal employees and 6 officials from organizing companies were detained. After their procedures at the police station, 3 former municipal employees and 2 officials from organizing companies, totaling 5 individuals, were arrested when they were brought to court yesterday, while 9 suspects were released under judicial control.
REASONS FOR ARREST
The reasons for the suspects' arrests have emerged. According to the decision made by the Ankara 1st Criminal Court of Peace; the former Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of ABB, Hacı Ali Bozkurt, the former Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of ABB, Hüseyin Zehir, the former Deputy Head of the Cultural Events Branch and former Deputy Head of the Department, Haluk Erdemir, the owner of Evren Teknik Grup Müzik Organizasyon San. Tic. Ltd. Şti., Onur Evren, and the partner of Festiva and Enfest Organizasyon Turizm San. Tic. Ltd. Şti., Selahattin Çelikkaya, were arrested based on the nature of the charges of 'Embezzlement' and 'Interfering with the tender of public institutions or organizations', the existence of strong evidence indicating that they committed the alleged crime, and considering the amount of public damage identified. Expert reports, witness statements, and the information, documents, and minutes contained in the file are strong evidence indicating reasonable suspicion of a crime, and it was emphasized that at this stage, the measure of arrest is proportional and that applying judicial control would be insufficient.
In the decision regarding the other suspects, it was stated that considering the current evidence situation and the entire file, there is a possibility that the nature and characteristics of the crime may change in favor of the suspects in the upcoming stages. It was also noted that considering the suspects' stable residence, applying judicial control measures would be sufficient and proportional.