48 arrested in corruption investigation targeting Istanbul municipality

A total of 48 suspects have been arrested in a sweeping corruption investigation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), according to Turkish authorities.

The arrests include high-profile figures such as IBB Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Sisli Mayor Resul Emrah Sahan, and Beylikduzu Mayor Mehmet Murat Calik.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that 89 suspects were referred to court. While 48 were arrested, 41 others were placed under judicial control measures following the court’s decision.

Sisli Mayor Resul Emrah Sahan was arrested on charges of “aiding an armed terrorist organization,” based on what the court cited as a strong suspicion.

Beylikduzu Mayor Mehmet Murat Calik was arrested by the Istanbul 6th Criminal Court of Peace on charges of “membership in a criminal organization” and “misconduct,” also because of strong suspicion.

Charges include bribery, bid rigging, and unlawful data access

The suspects face a range of serious charges.

According to the investigation file, five individuals were referred to court for “establishing and leading a criminal organization,” “bid rigging,” “accepting bribes,” “misconduct,” and “unlawful acquisition of personal data.”

An additional 84 suspects were referred for “membership in a criminal organization,” “bribery,” and “bribe giving.”

Following judicial proceedings, the court ruled for the arrest of 48 suspects, including Mayor Imamoglu and Mayor Calik. The remaining 41 individuals were released under judicial control.

The prosecutor’s office reportedly plans to appeal some of the release decisions.

Prosecutor’s Office sends notice to Istanbul Governorship

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office sent a formal notice to the Istanbul government regarding the legal status of the arrested municipal officials.

The notice stated that Mayor Imamoglu was arrested by the Istanbul 10th Criminal Court of Peace on charges of “establishing a criminal organization,” “unlawful recording of personal data,” “accepting bribes,” and “bid rigging.”

The court determined there was a strong suspicion supporting these charges.

The same notice explained that while there was strong suspicion concerning the separate charge of “aiding an armed terrorist organization,” the court decided that pretrial detention was unnecessary at this stage and rejected the prosecution’s request on that count.