Ertan Yildiz, fugitive key suspect in Istanbul municipality probe, detained

Ertan Yildiz, a fugitive key figure in the corruption and terrorism investigations surrounding the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), was detained by police.

Yildiz faces charges including “organized crime leadership,” “bribery,” and “manipulating tenders.” He is currently being processed at the Istanbul Police Department.

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This ongoing investigation is revealing a significant corruption network within IMM. Yildiz’s detention brings the total number of detainees in the case to 88. Key allegations include bribery and the unlawful imposition of a substantial fine on a shopping mall, raising concerns about IMM’s internal practices.

The investigation has resulted in 88 detainees, with 9 suspects still at large and 7 suspects located abroad.

Details

• Related allegations: Yildiz and other suspects are accused of extorting millions of euros from the owners of Capacity Shopping Mall. They allegedly threatened to falsely report the mall as structurally unsafe unless a bribe was paid.
• Controversial fines: The fine imposed on the mall after the bribe was not paid has been suspended by an administrative court. However, it is claimed that IMM issued the fine illegally after failing to secure the bribe.
• Yildiz’s evasion: Yildiz attempted to evade police capture by placing his phone in his wife’s bag to mislead authorities. Despite a previous travel ban, he also tried to flee the country using alternative methods.