Istanbul authorities arrest 40 suspects in corruption probe

A sweeping corruption investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is underway, targeting prominent figures within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, including its suspended mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.

The probe, which involves charges such as “leading a criminal organisation,” “membership in a criminal organisation,” “extortion,” “bribery,” “aggravated fraud,” “unlawful acquisition of personal data,” and “bid rigging,” has resulted in the detention of 45 individuals in coordinated raids across six provinces: Istanbul, Izmir, Trabzon, Antalya, Tunceli, and Kocaeli, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media. 

Authorities have identified alleged irregularities during audits conducted in municipal institutions such as İSTAÇ (waste and environment management), KİPTAŞ (Istanbul Housing Development Plan Industry and Trade Inc.), and the Road Maintenance Department.

A total of 49 suspects are under investigation. Among those detained are İmamoğlu’s private secretary Kadriye Kasapoğlu, his protection manager Mustafa Akın, Deputy Secretary General Gürkan Alpay, KİPTAŞ Board Chairman Ali Kurt, İSTAÇ Board Chairman Ziya Gökmen Togay, Head of the Mukhtar Affairs Department Yavuz Saltık, as well as İbrahim Bülbüllü and Nezahat Kurt — both previously released under judicial supervision following an earlier operation.

By Sabina Mammadli