Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Koseler arrested in bid rigging investigation
Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Koseler (AA Photo)
Istanbul’s Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Koseler has been arrested along with 12 others as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged bid rigging, according to judicial sources.
The Beykoz Criminal Court of Peace ordered the arrest following a probe launched by the Beykoz Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Details of the investigation
The investigation, which involves 22 suspects, was initiated on charges of “bid rigging” and “forming, leading, and assisting a criminal organization.” On February 27, law enforcement detained Koseler and 21 other individuals as part of a wider operation by the Istanbul Financial Crimes Division.
Following legal proceedings at Beykoz Courthouse, 13 individuals, including Koseler, were remanded in custody, while 9 were released under judicial control.
Allegations against Koseler
Koseler, who denies the allegations, provided a statement to the prosecutor’s office, stating: “I have never engaged in discussions, pricing negotiations, or directives with representatives of companies bidding in municipal tenders.”
“If any irregularities exist, they should be thoroughly investigated, but I am not involved in any way. I have never given preferential treatment to any company or instructed any personnel to do so,” He further emphasized according to reports.
Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Ekrem Imamoglu criticized the decision of arrest on his social media account X and said, “Unfortunately, we are living in a period that will go down in history as the ‘Istanbul Lawlessness’. Our Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Koseler was also arrested. For the first time in history, 3 CHP district mayors of Istanbul have been arrested.”
Background on the case
The Beykoz Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had previously issued detention and search warrants for 22 individuals linked to alleged bid rigging in municipal tenders.
On the morning of February 27, police cordoned off the Beykoz Municipality building, conducting searches and seizing documents as part of the probe.
