01.09.2025 23:46
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek described the investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) as "the largest corruption case of the century." Emphasizing that the arrests were not based solely on witness statements, Gürlek stated, "We are working with the precision of a jeweler's scale." Rejecting allegations of pressure during the effective remorse process, the Chief Prosecutor explained, "The defendants are giving statements of their own free will."
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The Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul, Akın Gürlek, met with court reporters as part of the new judicial year.
Last year's judicial year opening ceremony took place at the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan. This year, however, the ceremony was held at the Istanbul Anatolian Courthouse in Kartal. The ceremony was attended by Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, the father of Martyr Public Prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz, Hakkı Kiraz, Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul Akın Gürlek, Commander of the 1st Army General Bahtiyar Ersay, Member of the Judges and Prosecutors Council (HSK) Alişan Tiryaki, Commission Presidents, Court Presidents, Bar Presidents, judges and public prosecutors, lawyers, and courthouse personnel. Istanbul Bar President İbrahim Kaboğlu did not attend the ceremony as he was participating in the bar's event at the same time.
"ISTANBUL STREETS ARE SAFE"
After the official ceremony, Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek returned to Çağlayan and held a discussion meeting with reporters assigned to the courthouse. He reminded them of his promises to combat "unlicensed firearms" and "illegal betting" during the meeting he held when he first took office. Gürlek asserted that the streets of Istanbul are safe.
"THE INDICTMENT OF BEŞİKTAŞ MUNICIPALITY WILL BE READY IN SEPTEMBER"
Responding to questions about operations against İBB, Gürlek announced that an indictment for Beşiktaş Municipality would be prepared due to the investigation of businessman Aziz İhsan Aktaş, which was the reason for the arrest of many individuals based on the statements he provided to benefit from effective remorse. Gürlek stated that the indictment for Beşiktaş Municipality would be ready in September, while other indictments would be completed in October.
"WE ARE CONFIDENT IN OUR CASE"
In response to the question about whether the hearings of the İBB investigation would be "broadcast live on TRT," Gürlek said, "There is no article in our law regarding the live broadcasting of hearings. If a regulation is made, it can happen, of course. We are confident in our case."
Gürlek also stated, "There is no detainee based solely on witness statements in the İBB investigation. We must have substantiated it with evidence. If there is, let me know, and I will release them the next day."
"THE LARGEST CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION OF THE CENTURY"
In response to the question of whether new operations will come, Gürlek stated, "The investigation is not yet complete. As confessions come in, the investigation is expanding. This is the largest corruption investigation of the century. We did not take a break during the judicial recess. Everyone is aware of their responsibilities. We are conducting the investigation with the sensitivity of a jeweler, which is why the process is taking longer."
Gürlek added, "The first person to learn about the operation was Murat Kapki. We do not know how he found out. Once he started to move the goods, we also took action."
"THEY ARE PRESSURING SO THAT THEY DO NOT BECOME INFORMANTS"
Denying allegations that pressure was applied to detainees to benefit from effective remorse, Gürlek said, "They come and say, 'I want to benefit from effective remorse.' They keep coming, they are sleeping at the doors."
"THE SOLUTION PROCESS WILL NOT AFFECT THE TRIAL"
In response to the question, "Will the solution process affect the trial process?" Gürlek stated, "We support this process, but it will not affect the trial."
He also reported that a red notice had been issued for Murat Gülibrahimoğlu and Emrah Bağdatlı, who are in a "fugitive" status in the İBB investigation.
WHAT HAPPENED?
FIRST WAVE – March 19, 2025
- A total of 106 people were detained, including İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu.
- 92 people were referred for arrest; 54 were arrested, and 41 were released under judicial control.
- Among those arrested were: İmamoğlu, Murat Ongun, Mehmet Murat Çalık, Resul Emrah Şahan, and Buğra Gökce.
- İmamoğlu and Çalık were suspended from their duties; a trustee was appointed in place of Şahan.
SECOND WAVE – April 25, 2025
- An arrest warrant was issued for 53 people, 50 of whom were caught.
- In custody: İSKİ General Manager Şafak Başa, İmamoğlu's brother-in-law Cevat Kaya, Deputy Secretary General Arif Gürkan Alpay, Private Secretary Kadriye Kasapoğlu, and Murat Ongun's wife Gözdem Ongun.
- 18 people (including Cevat Kaya and Elçin Karaoğlu) were arrested.
THIRD WAVE – May 20, 2025
- In an operation centered on Media A. Ş. and Culture A. Ş., an arrest warrant was issued for 22 people.
- 20 people were detained; 13 were arrested.
- Among those detained were İBB Press and Publication Department Head Taner Çetin and Çeşme Municipality Deputy Mayor Onur Gülin.
FOURTH WAVE – May 23, 2025
- ISTAC, KIPTAS, and the Road Maintenance Department were targeted.
- An arrest warrant was issued for 49 people; 44 were caught.
- 25 people were arrested, including Ali Kurt, Yavuz Saltık, and Kadriye Kasapoğlu.
FIFTH WAVE – May 31, 2025
- A large number of individuals, including Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün, Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe, Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara, and Aykut Erdoğan, were detained.
- 38 people were caught; 22 were arrested.
SIXTH WAVE – July 18, 2025
- 17 people were detained.
- 8 people were arrested, and 9 were released under judicial control.
- Among those arrested was Deniz Erzincan, Deputy General Manager of Boğaziçi A. Ş.
SEVENTH WAVE – July 29, 2025
- An operation was conducted against the criminal organization led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş.
- 25 people were detained, and 5 were arrested.
- İETT General Manager İrfan Demet was released under judicial control.
EIGHTH WAVE – August 12, 2025
- 13 people were detained; 6 were arrested.
- Among those arrested was Örsan Çetin, son of Taner Çetin.
NINTH WAVE – August 15, 2025
- 44 people, including Beyoğlu Mayor İnan Güney, were detained.
- 17 people were arrested, and 27 were released under judicial control.
OTHER OPERATIONS
- May 22, 2025: An operation against Istanbul Tree and Landscape A. Ş., 7 people were arrested.
- July 5, 2025: Following the statements of Aktaş, who benefited from effective remorse; Adana Mayor Zeydan Karalar and Büyükçekmece Deputy Mayor Ahmet Şahin were arrested.
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42 EFFECTIVE REMORSE BENEFITED
- A total of 42 detained defendants benefited from the effective remorse provisions.
- Of these, 39 were released, while 3 (Yakup Öner, Sarp Yalçınkaya, Orçun Muhittin Yılmaz) were not released.
- Among those who provided statements are key figures such as: Murat Abbas, Ertan Yıldız, Adem Soytekin, Ali Nuhoğlu, Eyüp Subaşı.
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