Main opposition CHP’s municipal officials arrested in Istanbul investigation
The 10 suspects, including deputy mayors of Kartal and Atasehir, who were detained in an operation alleging that members of the terrorist organisation PKK/KCK were placed in municipalities under the administration of the PKK/KCK. (AA Photo)
Two deputy mayors from Istanbul’s Kartal and Atasehir municipalities have been arrested as part of an investigation into alleged illegal political agreements involving local governance. Both are members of the main opposition People’s Republican Party (CHP).
The arrests were made under a broader probe launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Investigation into ‘Urban Consensus’ allegations
Authorities have detained 10 individuals, including seven municipal council members from various Istanbul districts, in connection with an inquiry into what prosecutors describe as “urban consensus” agreements.
The investigation claims that political coordination allowed certain groups to gain influence in municipal councils, despite not securing electoral victories.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office states that these arrangements facilitated the placement of individuals linked to the terrorist organization PKK/KCK within local administrations.
In a statement on February 11, prosecutors asserted that “the ‘Urban Consensus’ model was designed to ensure representation in municipal councils and local governance structures through negotiated quotas.”
Arrested officials and their roles
Among those arrested are Kartal Deputy Mayor Cemalettin Yuksel and Atasehir Deputy Mayor Livan Gur.
Others facing charges include municipal council members from Uskudar, Sancaktepe, Fatih, Tuzla, Adalar, Sisli, and Beyoglu. Additionally, an individual reportedly affiliated with Beyoglu Municipality was also taken into custody.
- Kartal Deputy Mayor C.Y.
- Atasehir Deputy Mayor L.G.
- Uskudar Municipal Council Member B.K.
- Sancaktepe Municipal Council Member E.G.
- Fatih Municipal Council Member G.A.
- Tuzla Municipal Council Member H.O.
- Adalar Municipal Council Member N.A.
- Sisli Municipal Council Member S.G.
- Beyoglu Municipal Council Member T.S.
- I.P., who was found to be in contact with Beyoglu Municipality
Political reactions and statements
Following the arrests, CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel criticized the ongoing investigation, calling it a “political operation” orchestrated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
He stated, “We do not know what stage of the operation we are in, but we are certain that this is not the end.”
The investigation follows the earlier arrests of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Ozer on charges of “membership in an armed terrorist organization” and Besiktas Mayor Riza Akpolat for alleged involvement in an organized crime group.
Legal justifications and further probes
Prosecutors states that municipal officials played roles in efforts to strategically integrate political actors into Istanbul’s municipal framework.
The inquiry suggests that figures associated with the People’s Democratic Congress (HDK) were embedded in local government structures under designations such as “Labor Council Member,” “District Council Member,” and “Cultural Commission Member.”
Authorities are also examining alleged communications between municipal officials and individuals under investigation for terrorist-related offenses.
According to officials, call records show that Kartal Deputy Mayor Yuksel had contact with 313 individuals under scrutiny, while Atasehir Deputy Mayor Gur communicated with 52 individuals, some of whom are either currently incarcerated or wanted for offenses linked to terrorist activities.
