14.07.2025 07:00
As part of the bribery and corruption investigation conducted against Şile Municipality, 5 suspects, including Mayor Özgür Kabadayı, who was detained, have been arrested.
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The Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's Terror and Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau has completed the procedures of Mayor Özgür Kabadayı and 5 other suspects who were detained as part of the investigation into 'establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime', 'bribery', 'corruption', and 'interfering with a tender' against the Şile Municipality.
5 PEOPLE INCLUDING THE MAYOR HAVE BEEN ARRESTED
After health checks, the suspects were brought to the Anatolian Justice Palace. The 5 suspects, including Kabadayı, were referred to the duty magistrate court with a request for their arrest after their statements were taken by the prosecutor's office. The prosecutor requested judicial control measures for one suspect.
BRIBERY AMOUNTS RANGING FROM 15,000 TO 50,000 EUROS
In the referral letter prepared by the Istanbul Anatolian Terror and Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau, it was stated that Deputy Mayor Tuncay Tolga Özçakmak, Lawyer Ali Şafak, Zoning Director Aslı Kotan, and License Chief Evren Buçhan were transferred from Şişli Municipality about 4 months ago, and upon the arrival of this team, zoning and occupancy permits were issued in exchange for bribes. It was noted that bribes ranging from 15,000 to 50,000 Euros were received from contractors and citizens in exchange for speeding up and resolving the permit processes belonging to the municipality. It was reported that Deputy Mayor Tuncay Tolga Özçakmak processed applications for firms waiting for permits in exchange for money through lawyer Ali Şafak and License Chief Evren Buçhan. While municipal staff provided various advantages such as gift vouchers, construction materials, and food packages from low-profile firms, some firms were prioritized in exchange for direct cash bribes.
PHOTOS AND AUDIO RECORDINGS IN THE FILE
It was recorded that a total of 9 witnesses, including one confidential, were consulted in the investigation. Some conversations were documented with audio recordings, WhatsApp messages, and photographs. Photos and audio recordings related to the moment when suspect Ali Şafak delivered the bribe money at a café in Metro Garden Shopping Mall were included in the file. According to the information provided by the witnesses, it was determined that a donation of 2 million 500 thousand lira was made to the municipality, and some suspects were given market cards and money in Euros.
"THERE IS STRONG SUSPICION OF CRIME"
In the referral letter, it was also stated that suspect Mayor Özgür Kabadayı received 35,000 dollars for permit transactions by involving his private secretary. Additionally, it was noted that a list of names from whom money was received for permit transactions was seized from the phone of the Municipality's Writing Affairs Director Oğuz Kaçmaz. In the referral letter, it was explained that in light of all these statements and technical evidence, there is strong suspicion of crime against the suspects, and there is a high likelihood of them destroying evidence and fleeing if released. For these reasons, a request was made for an arrest warrant for 5 suspects, including Mayor Özgür Kabadayı, Deputy Mayor Tuncay Tolga Özçakmak, Lawyer Ali Şafak, and License Chief Evren Buçhan. The Mayor Kabadayı and 5 suspects who appeared before the judge were arrested and sent to prison, while judicial control measures were applied to one suspect.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF BRIBERY
In the investigations conducted based on witness statements, it was recorded that suspects, including the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Legal Affairs Officer within the Municipality, systematically requested and received bribes with expressions such as 'the mayor's request', 'help', and similar phrases. During the operation, Lawyer A.Ş., responsible for Legal Affairs at Şile Municipality, was caught in the act while receiving a bribe of 20,000 euros for the issuance of building permits.
"I WANT TO ANSWER IN THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE REGARDING BRIBERY"
In the statement taken from suspect lawyer A.Ş., he said, "I made a legal consultancy contract with Şile Municipality in March 2025, and I am responsible for answering questions related to the Municipality's Zoning Directorate, Real Estate Directorate, and Planning Directorate when a legal question is asked. Regarding bribery, I want to answer this question in the prosecutor's office, citing Article 58 of the Attorneyship Law."
"I AM NOT THE PERSON REFERRED TO AS THE MAYOR"
Özgür Kabadayı, the Mayor of Şile, who gave a statement as a suspect, said, "When I took office, I delegated the authorities to my assistants, and I have no knowledge of the irregular transactions that took place. In some sections, the person referred to as the mayor is not me. It is Deputy Mayor T.T.Ö."
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