4th wave operation targeting İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality
Istanbul prosecutors launched a new wave of arrests targeting İBB officials, including executives from municipal companies İSTAÇ and KİPTAŞ, over alleged corruption. Among those detained were top managers and Ekrem İmamoğlu’s private secretary.
İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi
As part of a "corruption" investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), arrest and detention warrants were issued for 49 individuals, including executives from İSTAÇ and KİPTAŞ, in the 4th wave operation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Among those subject to detention orders are KİPTAŞ General Manager Ali Kurt, İSTAÇ General Manager Ziya Gökmen Togay, İbrahim Bülbüllü, Nezahat Kurt, and Security Manager Mustafa Akın.
The detained individuals were brought to the Vatan Police Headquarters in Istanbul.
Kadriye Kasapoğlu, the private secretary of İBB Mayor and CHP's presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, was also detained. Kasapoğlu had previously been released under judicial control in the same investigation. The operation, conducted simultaneously in Istanbul, Izmir, Trabzon, Antalya, Tunceli, and Kocaeli, has so far resulted in the detention of 45 people.
In a statement by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office:
"Within the scope of the 2024/228233 case file, regarding irregularities detected primarily in İSTAÇ, KİPTAŞ, and the Road Maintenance Directorate, instructions were given to the Istanbul Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit on 23/05/2025 for the execution of arrest, detention, search, and seizure procedures for 49 suspects, including Ali KURT, Ziya Gökmen TOGAY, İbrahim BÜLBÜLLÜ, Nezahat KURT, and Mustafa AKIN. As of now, the arrest, detention, search, and seizure procedures for the suspects are ongoing."
3rd Wave Operation: 13 People Arrested
In the third wave operation, 16 out of 20 detained individuals were referred to court with a request for arrest. The Istanbul Criminal Judgeship ruled for the arrest of 13 suspects and the release of 7 under judicial control.
Among those arrested was İBB Press, Broadcasting, and Public Relations Director Taner Çetin.
As part of the investigation, a third wave of detentions was carried out on May 20. Detention warrants were issued for 22 people, including İBB personnel, company representatives, and employees, on allegations of "irregular tenders within Media AŞ and Culture AŞ" and "involvement in bribery processes." Among the 20 detained were İBB Press, Broadcasting, and Public Relations Director Taner Çetin, Public Relations Manager Serap Karay, Deputy Public Relations Manager Mustafa Karaoğlu, and Çeşme Deputy Mayor Onur Gülin. (EVRENSEL DAILY)
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