21.04.2026 11:25
As part of an investigation into allegations of bribery related to tenders, zoning, and occupancy processes at Ataşehir Municipality, 20 suspects, including Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, have been referred to the courthouse. The suspects are facing charges of bribery, forming an organization, and tampering with tenders.
Twenty suspects, including Ataşehir Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, who were detained as part of an investigation into allegations of bribery related to tender, zoning, and housing processes at the Ataşehir Municipality, have been referred to the courthouse.
Upon reports that Ataşehir Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, Deputy Mayors Birkan Birol Yıldız, Orhan Aydoğdu, and Oğuz Kaya, as well as unit managers and personnel, received bribes related to tender, zoning, and housing processes, the Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation on charges of "bribery," "establishing, managing, and being a member of an organization for the purpose of committing a crime," and "interfering with a tender." The operations conducted as part of this investigation led to the detention of suspects, whose procedures at the police station have been completed.
After a health check, the suspects were referred to the Istanbul Anadolu Courthouse.
INVESTIGATION
Based on reports that Ataşehir Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, Deputy Mayors Birkan Birol Yıldız, Orhan Aydoğdu, and Oğuz Kaya, as well as unit managers and personnel, received bribes related to tender, zoning, and housing processes, the Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had initiated an investigation on charges of "bribery," "establishing, managing, and being a member of an organization for the purpose of committing a crime," and "interfering with a tender."
As part of the investigation, MASAK reports and HTS records belonging to the suspects were obtained, and it was found that transactions were conducted in exchange for bribes in housing and building permit processes.
As a result of the work carried out by the Financial Crimes Investigation Branch of the Istanbul Police Department, the elements of the crime and the organizational structure were identified in detail.
Investigations revealed that bribes amounting to millions of dollars were received in exchange for building permits and housing transactions from companies operating within the boundaries of Ataşehir Municipality, and it was determined that permit transactions were carried out in exchange for bribes during this process. Additionally, it was found that municipal officials and some company owners acted together, the amounts of bribes were determined according to the nature of the projects, and the received bribes were distributed based on position and authority within the municipality.
In a simultaneous operation conducted in Istanbul at 45 addresses to uncover the activities of the criminal organization, seize evidence, and capture the suspects, twenty suspects, including Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, were detained.
In addition to Mayor Adıgüzel, the suspects detained are as follows:
"Deputy Mayor Oğuz Kaya, Deputy Mayor Orhan Aydoğdu, Deputy Mayor Birkan Birol Yıldız, Financial Affairs Manager Mürteza Kutluk, Private Secretary Manager Alpay Arslan, Building Control Manager Aysun Gökçen, License and Inspection Manager Basri Onur Dedetaş, Planning Project Manager Nimet Karademir, Zoning License Manager Gülbin Ergünay, Building Zoning Manager Ezgi Nur Yılmaz, architect Aslı Sevinç Afat, deputy inspector Mehmet Yılmaz, Birkan Birol Yıldız's driver Çağlar Kaya, Onursal Adıgüzel's driver Doğancan Topal, Mesut Bayram from a construction company, Fatih Velioğlu from an architecture firm, municipal employee Haydar Battal, Murat Gerger from a construction company, and Cengiz Gündoğan."