The CHP is gathering in Beşiktaş following the detention of Rıza Akpolat.

An investigation has been launched regarding the allegations that the criminal organization allegedly led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş organized tenders by bribing mayors and senior executives of municipalities. As part of the investigation, a detention order was issued for Beşiktaş Mayor Akpolat on charges of "membership in a criminal organization," "manipulating a tender," and "unlawful acquisition of property." Following the order, Akpolat was detained by police teams in Balıkesir.

SECURITY MEASURES TAKEN AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING

In the morning hours, teams from the Istanbul Financial Crimes Investigation Branch went to Beşiktaş Municipality and conducted a search and examination in Akpolat's office. Additionally, police teams took security measures around the municipal building. Municipal employees are allowed into the building only after identity checks.

CHP GATHERS IN FRONT OF BEŞİKTAŞ MUNICIPALITY

The detention of Akpolat was met with a strong reaction from the CHP, with Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik calling on the party organization to gather in front of Beşiktaş Municipality. Çelik stated, "We are coming together at 15:00 in front of Beşiktaş Municipality to stand up for justice and the will of the people of Beşiktaş against the character assassination of our Mayor Rıza Akpolat. We will stand shoulder to shoulder. We will overcome these dark days together!"

JOINT STATEMENT FROM ÖZEL AND İMAMOĞLU

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu arrived at the CHP Headquarters in the morning. Mayor İmamoğlu closely followed the developments regarding Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, who was detained.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM TWO NAMES

İmamoğlu also met with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel here. The two held a joint press conference. The first to speak was Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. İmamoğlu's statements were as follows: "Our Mayor should not be detained. It is unlawful to detain the Mayor in such a hasty manner. This is definitely and absolutely a character assassination. Have you ever seen an AK Party mayor being subjected to a dawn operation in 23 years? I call out to the chief prosecutor from here; you continue to perform your duty as a chief prosecutor who cannot meet with the IMM Mayor. Because it is clear that you did not come to distribute justice. I regret to observe that you are performing your duty to please one person."

DETENTION ORDER FOR 47 SUSPECTS

In a statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the investigation, it was stated that the criminal organization allegedly led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş organized tenders by bribing mayors and senior executives of municipalities. It was explained that the investigation was initiated after it was determined that the criminal organization ensured that tenders were awarded to their own companies, and that the suspects had been monitored for approximately three months.

The statement noted that a detention order was issued for 10 suspects, including Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat and the Chairman and members of Beşiktaş Municipality Beltaş Operating Industry and Trade Inc., on charges of "membership in a criminal organization," "manipulating a tender," and "unlawful acquisition of property."

It was also stated that a detention order was issued for 12 municipal officials, including Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, who was arrested on charges of "membership in an armed terrorist organization" and removed from office, on charges of "manipulating a tender," "receiving bribes," and "failure to declare assets as per Law No. 3628" and "unlawful acquisition of property."

In the statement, it was noted that a detention order was issued for Aziz İhsan Aktaş and 24 suspects operating within the organization on charges of "establishing and managing a criminal organization," "membership in a criminal organization," "giving bribes," "manipulating a tender," "interfering with the performance of a duty," "violating tax procedure law," and "laundering the value of assets," and that simultaneous capture and detention orders were issued for a total of 47 individuals.