22.10.2026 07:30
In Adana, within the investigation into tenders, bribery and the 'ATM civil servant' scheme targeting Çukurova Municipality, suspects—including Mayor Emrah Kozay, former Mayor Soner Çetin and Kozay's aunt Sıdıka Şire, whose procedures at the gendarmerie were completed—were referred to the courthouse. It was learned that in the case file, Kozay was considered the organization's leader, while Çetin and Şire were considered organization managers.
Within the scope of the investigation conducted into Çukurova Municipality in Adana, Mayor Emrah Kozay, former Mayor Soner Çetin, and Kozay's aunt Sıdıka Şire, whose procedures at the gendarmerie were completed, were among the suspects referred to the courthouse. It was learned that in the investigation file, Kozay was considered the organization leader, while Şire and Soner Çetin were considered organization managers.
As part of the investigation initiated by the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into allegations of irregularities in tender and direct procurement procedures carried out at Çukurova Municipality, an operation was conducted on October 19. In the operation carried out by gendarmerie teams against 51 suspects, 44 suspects were detained, including current Mayor Emrah Kozay and former Mayor Soner Çetin. With interim arrests, the number of detainees rose to 49.
MAYOR CONSIDERED ORGANIZATION LEADER, HIS AUNT CONSIDERED MANAGER
It was learned that in the investigation file, Mayor Emrah Kozay was considered the organization leader, while former Mayor Soner Çetin and Kozay's aunt Sıdıka Şire were considered organization managers. It was stated that some deputy mayors and municipal personnel were also included in the file.
TENDER, BRIBERY AND GHOST EMPLOYEE ALLEGATIONS
It was learned that the investigation was initiated upon allegations that irregularities were committed in the municipality's tender and direct procurement procedures, that the exception provision in the Public Procurement Law was improperly used in some purchases made through the municipality-affiliated joint-stock company, and that contractors who took work from the municipality paid bribes in exchange for progress payments.
The file also examined allegations that some municipal personnel received salaries despite not actually going to work. Within the scope of the investigation concerning people known to the public as ghost employees, action was also taken against 8 people alleged to have received salaries despite not going to the municipality.
DAUGHTER OF CHP MAYOR ALSO DETAINED
It was learned that within the scope of the investigation, E.A., the daughter of CHP Tufanbeyli Mayor Ahmet Aktürk, was among those detained on allegations that she received a salary without actually working at the municipality. The allegations in question are being examined within the scope of the investigation file.
It was stated that tender and direct procurement documents for 2024, 2025, and 2026 obtained from the municipality were examined by a three-person expert panel, and that the operation was conducted in line with the prepared report and other evidence.
Emrah Kozay, Soner Çetin, and Sıdıka Şire, whose procedures at the gendarmerie were completed, along with other suspects, were referred to the courthouse after undergoing a medical examination.