04.08.2026 13:35
WhatsApp messages allegedly belonging to Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek, who was detained on bribery charges, were leaked. In the WhatsApp conversations between Mayor Çiçek and his lover, it was claimed that when his lover told him to be careful, he replied, "Don't worry, my love. Everything is under my control. I don't get involved. I run all the business through Murat Taşdemir and Rüzgar. I don't take from anyone. I use these fools."
Within the scope of the investigation launched by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a corruption operation was carried out against the CHP-affiliated Menderes Municipality. In the operation, 13 suspects, including Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek, were detained.
ACTION TAKEN WITH A COMPLAINT PETITION
Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the complaint petition submitted by a person named M.Y. regarding the irregularities committed by the Menderes Municipality was taken into consideration. It was determined that the correspondence reflected on social media regarding the municipality's building occupancy permits, construction licenses, zoning status changes, etc., in the complaint petition overlapped with the irregularities in line with the report of the appointed expert committee.
"I TAKE THE MONEY THROUGH MY DRIVER"
In the correspondence allegedly belonging to Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek and reflected on social media, it was seen that the statements "Don't worry, baby. Everyone thinks I'm naive, but I... Recently, Rüzgar (Deputy Mayor) took money from a few businessmen. I didn't take my share. I had my driver Tolga collect it. I don't take it myself; I take it through Tolga" were used.
"I AM WALKING MONEY, BABY"
In one of those conversations, it was alleged that when Çiçek sent a photo of money to his girlfriend, in response to the question "My love, why are you sending me money?", he replied, "I am walking money, baby. I come from the mukhtar's office. I take money for every job. I am used to taking money, my love."
"I AM USING THESE FOOLS"
In another message where his girlfriend told him to be careful, Çiçek allegedly replied, "Don't worry, my love. Everything is under my control. I don't get involved. I run all the work through Murat Taşdemir and Rüzgar. I don't take from anyone. I am using these fools. Everyone thinks I'm a fool, but I'm smart, my love."