Main opposition CHP’s Besiktas Mayor Riza Akpolat temporarily suspended after arrest

The Ministry of Interior has announced the temporary suspension of Besiktas Mayor Riza Akpolat, who serves under the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), following his arrest.

The ministry stated that Akpolat was suspended as a “precautionary measure” after being charged with “membership in a criminal organization,” “rigging tenders,” and “illicit gain.”

Akpolat was detained and later arrested on the night of Jan. 16.

While the main opposition CHP continues to protest his arrest, the Interior Ministry issued a statement via social media, saying Akpolat was suspended “under Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of Municipal Law No. 5393.”

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating a criminal organization allegedly led by Aziz Ihsan Aktas, accused of bribing mayors and senior municipal officials to rig public tenders. As part of this investigation, Akpolat, Besiktas Deputy Mayor Alican Abaci, Besiktas Municipality Beltas Operations President Onder Gedik, and 23 other suspects, including Aktas, have been arrested.