Ekrem Imamoglu’s lawyer detained in Istanbul corruption probe
Turkish opposition candidate for the Istanbul re-run for the mayor's election, Ekrem Imamoglu gestures as he delivers a speech on stage during his repeated political campaign coordination meeting on May 22, 2019 in Istanbul. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP)
Mehmet Pehlivan, the lawyer representing Ekrem Imamoglu, the suspended and jailed mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), has been taken into custody as part of an ongoing corruption investigation.
The detention was carried out under an order issued by the Bureau of Investigation into Money Laundering Offenses within the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Detention tied to money laundering charges
Authorities stated that Pehlivan is under investigation for allegedly committing the crime of “laundering assets derived from criminal activity,” as well as violations of the Law on the Prevention of Laundering Proceeds of Crime.
Following the order, police teams detained Pehlivan at his residence in Istanbul.
After his detention, Pehlivan was taken to Bayrampasa State Hospital for a standard health examination. Upon completion of the check, he was transferred to the Istanbul Police Department for further processing.
The investigation continues under the jurisdiction of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
