31.03.2026 21:12
The Ministry of Interior announced that Özkan Yalım, the CHP mayor of Uşak, who was arrested for the crimes of "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime," "interfering with the tender of public institutions or organizations," and "extortion and bribery through coercion," has been suspended from duty.
The CHP's Uşak Mayor Özkan Yalım, who was arrested as part of an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crimes of "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime," "interfering with the tender of public institutions or organizations," and "extortion and bribery through coercion," has been suspended from his position by the Ministry of Interior.
INTERIM MEASURE
In a statement made through the official social media account of the Ministry, it was stated: "Uşak Mayor Özkan YALIM has been suspended from his position by the Ministry of Interior as an interim measure in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipal Law No. 5393, following his arrest by the Istanbul 5th Criminal Court of Peace on 30.03.2026, with the decision number 2026/200 due to the investigation regarding the crime of 'Establishing an Organization for the Purpose of Committing a Crime, Interfering with the Tender of Public Institutions or Organizations, Extortion and Bribery through Coercion.' This is respectfully announced to the public."
HE WAS DETAINED IN A HOTEL ROOM
Özkan Yalım was detained in a hotel room in Ankara with his 21-year-old girlfriend in a semi-nude state. It was revealed that Yalım's girlfriend was not registered at the hotel and was also a municipal employee. Yalım, who came to the agenda with the detention footage, was later arrested.
ÖZGÜR ÖZEL HAD APOLOGIZED
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, after Yalım's detention, stated in his speech at the party's rally in Çanakkale, "Özkan Yalım is responsible to his family and his party regarding those images. I am ashamed for opening the door to such images, I apologize. I am in great distress because this has been allowed. We will do whatever our responsibility requires."
CHP HAD REFERRED HIM TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION
CHP Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Zeynel Emre also announced yesterday after the party's Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting that Yalım's party membership had been suspended and he had been referred to disciplinary action.