03.09.2025 14:53
In the investigation into 'Corruption' directed at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 7 suspects were detained in an operation targeting the Avcılar and Beşiktaş municipalities. Among the suspects is Hüseyin İnan, the Head of Culture and Arts at Avcılar Municipality.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into corruption against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), leading to operations against the CHP-run municipalities of Avcılar and Beşiktaş. In the operation, 7 suspects, including the Head of Culture and Arts at Avcılar Municipality, Hüseyin İnan, were detained.
BACKGROUND OF THE IMM INVESTIGATION
As part of the ongoing corruption investigation against IMM, the number of suspects has risen to 330 since the work began in March. Efforts are ongoing to capture 10 suspects, including Emrah Bağdatlı, who introduced himself as the "advisor" to IMM President Advisor and IMM Media Inc. Board Chairman Murat Ongun, and businessman Murat Gülibrahimoğlu.
HOW DID THE INVESTIGATION DEVELOP?
IMM President Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is alleged to be the leader of a criminal organization, along with suspects in managerial positions within the organization, including IMM President Advisor and MEDYA A.Ş. Board Chairman Murat Ongun, General Manager of İmamoğlu Construction Company Tuncay Yılmaz, President of IMM Sports Club Fatih Keleş, Ertan Yıldız, who is also a member of the Bakırköy Municipality Council and Chairman of the IMM Subsidiaries and Affiliated Organizations Commission, and Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık, have been subject to detention, search, and seizure orders along with 94 suspects connected to them.
The teams from the Anti-Smuggling Branch conducted the first operation within the scope of the investigation to capture 100 suspects. In the operation, 87 suspects, including İmamoğlu, Ongun, and Çalık, were detained. The questioning of the suspects at the Istanbul Police Department began on March 20. In his statement taken at the police on March 21, Ekrem İmamoğlu responded to many questions with, "I do not consider this question. I vehemently reject all allegations."
After completing his procedures at the police station, İmamoğlu was taken to the courthouse, where he gave a statement to the prosecutor for about 2.5 hours. He was referred to the duty magistrate for a request for arrest on charges of "establishing a criminal organization," "interfering with a tender," and "receiving bribes" on the night of March 22-23. While 48 suspects, including İmamoğlu and Beylikdüzü Mayor Çalık, were arrested, 41 suspects were released under judicial control. İmamoğlu was suspended from his duties on March 23, in line with the decision of the Ministry of Interior.
39 SUSPECTS RELEASED
Within the scope of the investigation, 74 suspects, 42 of whom are detained, applied to the prosecutor's office and gave statements under the effective remorse provisions.