15.06.2026 18:40
Allegations regarding Taner Çetin, who is in custody as part of the corruption investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), have drawn attention. It is claimed that after Çetin became the Head of the Press, Publication and Public Relations Department at İBB, he moved from an apartment to a villa and purchased luxury brand cars and motorcycles registered under his children's names. When it was revealed that he was a high school graduate, he was allowed to continue his duties temporarily, and it is alleged that he appointed his girlfriend as a chief at İBB.
The allegations regarding Taner Çetin, the head of the IMM Press, Publishing and Public Relations Department, who was arrested in the IMM corruption investigation, have caused a great stir.
ALLEGATION OF BEING A "HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE"
It is alleged that shortly after Çetin assumed the position, he moved from an apartment to a luxury villa and registered luxury brand cars and motorcycles under his children's names. Within the scope of the investigation, Çetin's educational background also came under scrutiny. It is claimed that Çetin, who was appointed to the department head position—which normally requires a university degree—despite being a high school graduate, continued his duties on a precautionary basis after this situation came to light.
"ALLEGEDLY MADE HIS LOVER A DIRECTOR AT IMM"
Additionally, it is alleged that Çetin unlawfully appointed his lover, A.K., as the IMM Education Director and allocated a private office, and that this situation was known by other employees. It is also claimed that he previously had a relationship with H.Ö., who worked at the Road Maintenance Directorate, and appointed H.Ö. as a Coordinator at BB White Desk; after having a disagreement and ending the relationship, he terminated H.Ö.'s coordinator position.
"THEFT" ACCUSATION
It is alleged that during his time at IMM, Taner Çetin had his driver's license confiscated twice for driving under the influence of alcohol, and that while previously working at the CHP-run Beylikdüzü Municipality, he underwent an administrative investigation for stealing a pine tree from a cemetery and was removed from duty and the matter forgotten.
"THE DEED OF THE VILLA IS IN THE NAME OF HIS ASSISTANT'S MOTHER"
Allegations regarding his assistant A.C. also drew attention. It is claimed that A.C. had been engaged in commercial activities with his wife for many years, and that the deed of the villa where Çetin moved after becoming head at IMM was registered under the name of his assistant's mother.
ALLEGATION THAT "MANY PEOPLE WERE PAID WITHOUT COMING TO WORK"
Çetin's recruitments after becoming the Head of Public Relations at IMM also came under scrutiny. It is alleged that Taner Çetin took over call center operations from the Social Services Department, increased the number of call center employees from 1,000 to 2,000, and that many individuals—including CHP youth branch members and those performing street actions and PR work in favor of İmamoğlu—were put on the payroll and insured through this company without coming to work or having any connection to the call center.
It is also alleged that as the corruption investigation into IMM continues, the Public Relations Directorate conducted a single-company tender worth 614 million 408 thousand 395 liras, and it was decided that the company would continue to provide services until 30.06.2025.