27.06.2026 14:14
In the second wave operation conducted across 4 provinces centered in Izmir, 26 people, including Balçova Mayor Onur Yiğit and Seferihisar Mayor İsmail Yetişkin, were detained. In the investigation, money transfers mentioned in MASAK reports, bribery allegations, and transactions claimed to involve payments in exchange for candidacy ahead of local elections are being examined from multiple angles.
In an operation conducted across 4 provinces centered in İzmir, 26 people, including Balçova Mayor Onur Yiğit and Seferihisar Mayor İsmail Yetişkin, were taken into custody. The investigation scrutinized MASAK reports, statements of effective remorse, and money transfers.
SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION IN 4 PROVINCES CENTERED IN İZMİR
A second wave operation was carried out in the corruption investigation against Seferihisar Municipality, coordinated by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Within the scope of the investigation into the crimes of "forming an organization to commit a crime," "being a member of an organization," "bribery," "extortion," and "fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations," simultaneous search, seizure, and detention procedures were conducted in Istanbul, Adana, and Aydın, centered in İzmir, at 05:00 on the morning of June 25.
It was stated that MASAK records, financial analysis reports, expert examinations, complainant contractor testimonies, statements of effective remorse, and HTS and base station records were considered as evidence in the investigation.
MAYORS ALSO IN CUSTODY
Within the scope of the operation, legal proceedings were initiated against a total of 26 suspects, including Balçova Mayor Onur Yiğit, Seferihisar Mayor İsmail Yetişkin, Güzelbahçe and İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Council Member Doğuş Bayır, and Seferihisar Deputy Mayors Nuriye Hepterlikçi and İnanç Karabulut.
NOTABLE MONEY TRAFFIC IN MASAK REPORTS
The investigation file included MASAK examinations regarding the account movements of Özlem Akyılmaz, advisor to CHP Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba, who was arrested on June 19, 2026, for the crime of "taking bribes." In the examinations, it was determined that 500,000 TL was sent from the account of Meryem Yiğit, mother of Balçova Mayor Onur Yiğit, to the account of Özlem Akyılmaz on March 29, 2024, and that 335,000 TL of this amount was later transferred to Veli Ağbaba's account.
Additionally, it was determined that 500,000 TL was sent from the account of Nermin Günay, wife of Güzelbahçe Mayor Mustafa Günay, to Özlem Akyılmaz on February 27, 2024, and that 100,000 TL of this money was transferred to Veli Ağbaba's account on March 2, 2024.
TRANSFERS OF 500,000 LIRA IN THE FILE
According to findings in the file, it was recorded that contractor Rıdvan Korkmaz Budak, who is detained for the crime of "giving bribes," sent 500,000 TL to Evrim Ataman's account on March 5, 2024, and this money was transferred to Özlem Akyılmaz's account on March 7, and to Veli Ağbaba's account on the same day. The investigation also included information that Doğuş Bayır sent 300,000 TL to Özlem Akyılmaz's account on March 22, 2024.
ALLEGATION OF "6 MILLION LIRA BRIBE"
The file also included statements from Evrim Ataman, who was arrested on charges of "mediating bribery." It was reported that in Ataman's statement, he said the 500,000 TL sent to his account was part of a 6 million lira bribe allegedly taken to issue a building occupancy permit for the project named Iyonya Konakları, built in Seferihisar Düzce Neighborhood.
It was conveyed that Ataman stated he sent the money in question to the account of Özlem Akyılmaz, whom he claimed not to know, on the instruction of Seferihisar Deputy Mayor İbrahim Gökhan Pehlivan.
ALLEGATION OF MONEY TRANSFER IN RETURN FOR CANDIDACY
The investigation file also included an allegation that before the March 31, 2024 local elections, some mayoral candidates and municipal council candidate members made money transfers outside the legal donation procedure.
According to the file, it was determined that Balçova Mayor Onur Yiğit sent 500,000 TL through his mother Meryem Yiğit's account, Güzelbahçe Mayor Mustafa Günay sent 500,000 TL through his wife Nermin Günay's account, Seferihisar Mayor İsmail Yetişkin sent 500,000 TL through Evrim Ataman's account, and Doğuş Bayır sent 300,000 TL.
The allegation that these money transfers were made in return for being nominated before the local elections is being investigated within the scope of the investigation.
VELİ AĞBABA FILE TO BE SENT TO ANKARA
It was reported that Güzelbahçe Mayor Mustafa Günay, who is currently detained in another case, will be referred to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on charges of "giving bribes" to give his statement.
It was learned that the investigation documents regarding the crime of "taking bribes" concerning CHP Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba will be separated and sent to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
It was stated that the Seferihisar Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is continuing the investigation multifacetedly based on MASAK records, financial analysis reports, statements of effective remorse, witness testimonies, and technical evidence.
WHO IS ONUR YİĞİT?
Onur Yiğit was born on January 1, 1984, in the Balçova district of İzmir. He completed his primary, middle, and high school education in Balçova. He earned his bachelor's degree from Celal Bayar University, Department of Business Administration, and his master's degree in Advanced Business Administration and Health Management from İzmir University of Economics. Yiğit, who speaks English fluently, has taken part in various investment and management projects in the health sector.
He played an active role in the establishment and operation processes of Ömür Medical Center, Private Balçova Physical Therapy Medical Center, Open Radiology Center, and İlke Medical Center in Balçova, as well as the 150-bed Private Medifema Hospital in İzmir Ayrancılar. He was among the founders and senior managers of Asistana and Medifema Global companies operating in the field of health tourism.
A member of TÜSİAD, Yiğit has served in various working groups in the fields of economy and finance, development, entrepreneurship, youth, and social development. Onur Yiğit, who developed an interest in political life during his childhood thanks to his family's roles in party organizations, took on an active role in local governments after his official political membership. Serving as a member of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Council and the Metropolitan Municipal Committee, Yiğit worked on various commissions. He also continues to serve as a member of the Healthy Cities Association of Turkey Assembly. Married and the father of two children, Onur Yiğit was elected Mayor of Balçova from the CHP in the 2024 local elections.
WHO IS İSMAİL YETİŞKİN?
İsmail Yetişkin was born in 1976 in the Seferihisar district of İzmir. He completed his education at Seferihisar Asil Nadir High School. Involved in politics since childhood, Yetişkin began his political life in the Republican People's Party (CHP).
Serving in CHP for 27 years in the Youth Branches and as District Chairman, Yetişkin started his professional career in agriculture and trade.
For many years, he worked as a tradesman in Dutlaraltı, one of the symbolic spots of Seferihisar.
İsmail Yetişkin, who was elected as the Mayor of Seferihisar in the March 31, 2019 Local Administrations General Elections, took office for the second time as mayor following the March 31, 2024 Local Elections. Married and father of two children, İsmail Yetişkin continues to serve as the Mayor of Seferihisar.