Corruption scandal in Istanbul municipality: Around 50 detained

As part of a major corruption investigation involving Istanbul’s municipal administration, authorities have issued arrest warrants for 47 individuals.

The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office is actively pursuing the detention of all 47 suspects as part of a broad inquiry into corruption within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The investigation also targets an alleged criminal organisation led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, along with four separate probes involving the municipalities of Büyükçekmece and the Directorate of Culture and Social Affairs in the Beşiktaş Municipality.

During simultaneous police operations, 30 suspects were detained. Among those arrested are former CHP deputy Aykut Erdoğdu, Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara, Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe, Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün, Ceyhan Mayor Kadir Aydar, and Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin.

By Tamilla Hasanova