05.08.2026 11:01
Within the scope of the corruption investigation conducted in Izmir, 15 people, including Mayor İlkay Çiçek, were detained. Following the investigation, Özgür Özel's praising words about Çiçek have come back to the agenda, while alleged messages belonging to Çiçek, containing striking statements about the bribery system in the municipality, have also sparked public debate.
In the investigation coordinated by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an operation was launched against suspects determined to have committed the crimes of 'establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes', 'being a member of an organization established for the purpose of committing crimes', 'bribery', 'extortion', 'forgery of official documents', 'misuse of office', and 'causing zoning pollution'.
15 PEOPLE DETAINED, INCLUDING MAYOR CICEK
Within the scope of the investigation, a detention decision was made for 16 suspects, including Mayor Ilkay Cicek. In the simultaneous operations carried out, 15 people, including Mayor Cicek, were detained. It was reported that efforts to capture Deputy Mayor R.S. are ongoing. It was stated that the suspects' procedures at the Provincial Gendarmerie Command are continuing.
OZEL'S WORDS BACK ON THE AGENDA
While the repercussions of the incident continued, the words said by New Party Chairman Ozgur Ozel about Ilkay Cicek came back on the agenda. Ozel, who spoke of Cicek with praise at a rally, had said, "I said, 'You don't know Ilkay. Not just Menderes, the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, or the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, give him the Ministry of Interior, he would manage it.'"
THE MESSAGE EXCHANGES CAUSED A STIR
Messages allegedly belonging to Cicek also became a hot topic on social media. According to the claims, the correspondence with his girlfriend contained both statements about his private life and striking remarks about the bribery system within the municipality.
In the said correspondence, statements such as "I'm giving it, baby, I don't skimp on their feed, if I don't feed them, they lay eggs, baby," "This b*tch Tulay Dısci is a council member, she's also doing construction. She brought a few contractors, we took money under the table to get permits," "Ekrem Imamoglu and they couldn't agree on sharing the pie, they sold each other out, baby," "It was again Ozgur Ozel who tripped up Ekrem Imamoglu, baby. So if there's no betrayal from within our own ranks, no one from outside can do anything," "I am walking money, baby, I came from the mukhtar's office, I take money for every job," and "I'm used to taking money, my love" were seen.
"I AM WALKING MONEY, BABY"
In another correspondence allegedly belonging to Mayor Ilkay Cicek, it was seen that an image of a bag full of bundles of money was shared.
The dialogues in the screenshots drew attention:
Other party: My love, why are you showing me money, who did you take money from again?
Ilkay Cicek (alleged): I am walking money, baby, I came from the mukhtar's office, I take money for every job. I'm used to taking money, my love.