23.04.2026 21:44
Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi stated that 3,309 inspections have been conducted since the March 31, 2024 elections, and that AK Party municipalities received the most investigation approvals. Minister Çiftçi said that investigation approvals were granted on 7 matters regarding Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş, 2 of which were overturned by the Council of State, 2 are still under review, and 3 are ongoing.
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi met with press members at the Vilayetler Evi in the Gölbaşı district of Ankara. Providing information about the investigations carried out against municipalities, Çiftçi emphasized that the proceedings are conducted based on the results of complaints, notifications, inspections, and audits, not according to political affiliation.
"MOST INVESTIGATION PERMITS GRANTED TO AK PARTY MUNICIPALITIES"
Çiftçi announced that a total of 3,309 research and examinations were conducted from the March 31, 2024 local elections to April 17, 2026. He stated that investigation permits were granted for 1,535 of these files. Sharing details on the distribution of the files for which investigation permits were issued, Çiftçi indicated that 677 were related to AK Party municipalities, 371 to CHP, 128 to MHP, 18 to DEM Party, 9 to İYİ Party, and 332 to municipalities affiliated with other parties.
Çiftçi said, "This table shows that the claim that only opposition municipalities are targeted is not true."
ANKARA METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY DATA SHARED
Çiftçi also shared data regarding the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, stating that 49 research and preliminary examination approvals were given in approximately 7 years covering Mansur Yavaş's term. He noted that during this process, 23 preliminary examination reports were prepared and 32 allegations were evaluated.
"INVESTIGATION PERMIT GRANTED FOR MANSUR YAVAŞ ON 7 MATTERS"
Minister Çiftçi stated that in line with inspector recommendations, investigation permits were granted for Mansur Yavaş on 7 matters. He explained that 2 of these files were overturned by the Council of State, 2 are under review, and proceedings continue for 3 files.
Additionally, he reported that in 25 allegations, no investigation permit was given because Mansur Yavaş's signature, approval, or instruction could not be found, and in 18 matters, no criminal element was detected. Çiftçi noted that 13 files were sent to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 1 file to the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, and 2 compensation reports were forwarded to the municipality. He stated that the review process continues for 11 files.
“INVESTIGATION PERMIT IS NOT A FINAL DECISION”
Çiftçi also emphasized that the investigation permits granted by the Ministry of Interior do not constitute a final judgment. Stating that these decisions are administrative rulings made within the scope of Law No. 4483, Çiftçi said the process is open to judicial review.