Türkiye detains Istanbul mayor's lawyer in money laundering probe

Mehmet Pehlivan, the lawyer of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested and removed from office as part of an anti-corruption investigation, has been detained by the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office.

The arrest was made in connection with an investigation conducted by the Bureau for Investigating Crimes Related to Money Laundering of the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office. A warrant was issued for Pehlivan's arrest under the charge of "Legalizing assets acquired through criminal means," Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Pehlivan was apprehended by police at his residence. Following his detention, he was taken to the Bayrampaşa State Hospital for a medical examination. After completing the necessary procedures, he was transferred to the provincial police department.

This development is part of an ongoing investigation into suspected money laundering activities related to high-profile figures, further intensifying political tensions in Turkey.

​To recall, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested on March 19, 2025, on charges of corruption, including racketeering, bribery, money laundering, and alleged support for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), considered a terrorist organization by Turkey. His arrest occurred shortly after Istanbul University annulled his degree, effectively barring him from presidential candidacy.  

The arrest sparked widespread protests across Turkey, leading to nearly 1,900 detentions over an eight-day period. Demonstrations intensified following İmamoğlu's formal arrest on March 23, with significant participation from students and opposition supporters. ​

By Khagan Isayev