23.03.2025 19:30
After the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the presidency of the Union of Turkish Municipalities will be temporarily carried out by the Deputy Chairman of TTB, Zeydan Karalar, who is the Mayor of Adana Metropolitan Municipality.
The Union of Turkish Municipalities (TBB) and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest has led to the determination of who will carry out the TBB Presidency.
ZEYDAN KARALAR WILL ACT AS DEPUTY
Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zeydan Karalar will act as the deputy for the TBB Presidency, which was vacated by İmamoğlu.
KARALAR'S REACTION TO THE ARREST DECISION
Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zeydan Karalar, who made a statement regarding the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, said, "The arrest decision given to Mayor Ekrem is an assault on the will of the people. We will continue to defend democracy against those who use impartial justice for their political engineering. This struggle is not only for Ekrem İmamoğlu but for everyone who seeks justice," he stated.
ARRESTED ON CORRUPTION CHARGES
As part of the "corruption" investigation against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), 48 out of 89 suspects, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, were arrested, while judicial control measures were decided for 41 others. In the 'City Consensus' investigation, however, the prosecutor's request for İmamoğlu's arrest was rejected.
İMAMOĞLU REMOVED FROM OFFICE
On the other hand, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested as part of the corruption investigation against the IBB, was suspended from his duties by the Ministry of Interior.
In a statement regarding the decision from the Ministry of Interior, it was stated, "Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has been arrested based on the decision of the Istanbul 10th Criminal Court of Peace dated 23.03.2025 and inquiry number 2025/347 for the crimes of Illegally Recording Personal Data, Accepting Bribes, Interfering in the Tender of Public Institutions or Organizations, and Establishing an Organization for the Purpose of Committing Crimes; and as a temporary measure in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipal Law No. 5393, he has been suspended from his duties by the Ministry of Interior."
IBB ASSEMBLY WILL MEET TO ELECT A DEPUTY MAYOR
The Istanbul Governorship also announced that the IBB Assembly will convene on Wednesday, March 26, at 1 PM to elect the Deputy Mayor.