Imamoglu probe: Who has been detained and what are the accusations so far?
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu speaking. Feb. 27, 2025, Ankara, Türkiye. (AA Photo)
One hundred and six people were detained in Istanbul on Wednesday as part of three separate investigations. Among those detained are high-profile individuals such as Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, artist Ercan Saatci, and journalist Ismail Saymaz.
The investigations cover various issues, including corruption, terrorism, and the 2013 Gezi Park protests. Here are the details of the investigations and the individuals detained:
1. Tender, corruption investigation
A detention order was issued for 100 individuals, including Imamoglu, as part of this investigation.
The allegations involve irregularities in public tenders, tender rigging, qualified fraud, unlawful acquisition of personal data, and bribery within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s subsidiaries.
— Türkiye Today (@turkiyetodaycom) March 19, 2025
#LATEST ─ Search at Imamoglu's house over terrorism and organized crime probe into Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality completed pic.twitter.com/UUCfPAgXt8
The Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office explained that the investigation was launched after the “Money Counting Incident” within the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). Imamoglu is accused of leading a criminal organization since his time as mayor of Beylikduzu.
The municipality-owned companies, such as MEDYA S.A., KULTUR S.A., KIPTAS, and ISFALT, were allegedly used for these unlawful activities.
Among the individuals detained are:
- Murat Ongun – Imamoglu’s advisor, Media S.A. executive
- Necati Ozkan – Imamoglu’s campaign manager
- Ercan Saatci – Artist
- Tuncay Yilmaz – General manager of Imamoglu Construction Company)
- Can Akin Caglar – Secretary-general of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
- Bugra Gokce – Head of Istanbul Planning Agency
- Murat Abbas – General Manager of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Culture S.A.
— Türkiye Today (@turkiyetodaycom) March 19, 2025
2. Terrorism investigation
The second investigation is focused on the “city consensus” strategy for the upcoming March 31, 2024, local elections.
The strategy involves CHP not fielding candidates in some districts and cooperating with the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM). The prosecutor claims this strategy aimed to increase the influence of the PKK terrorist group in Turkish metropolitan areas.
Imamoglu is accused of personally approving the lists of candidates for the municipal council and allegedly providing support to the PKK during this process.
— Türkiye Today (@turkiyetodaycom) March 19, 2025
The following individuals have been detained:
- Mahir Polat – Deputy secretary-general of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
- Resul Ekrem Sahan – mayor of Sisli
- Mehmet Ali Caliskan – President of the Reform Institute
- Ebru Ozdemir – Deputy mayor of Sisli
- Fugitives: A.B., H.A. (company employees)
- Other unnamed suspects
3. Gezi Park investigation
The third investigation concerns the 2013 Gezi Park protests. Journalist Ismail Saymaz was detained for his involvement in the Taksim Solidarity movement and his alleged role in escalating the protests.
Saymaz is accused of sharing social media posts related to the Gezi protests, appearing on Osman Kavala’s website, and promoting the events online. Saymaz had previously disclosed that he was under a travel ban.
Detention of Imamoglu and ongoing operations
Imamoglu has been detained in connection with the Media S.A. tenders, the city consensus strategy, and the terrorism investigation.
The investigation continues with charges of leading a criminal organization, bribery, fraud, and other crimes.
Other detainees
Besides Imamoglu, many employees of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and other individuals have been detained. Below are some of the other names:
Murat Ongun, Murat Calik, Tuncay Yilmaz, Fatih Keles, Emrah Bagdatli, Mustafa Nihat Sutlas, Orcun Muhittin Yilmaz, Huseyin Koksal, Adem Soytekin, Ali Nuhoğlu, Ertan Yildiz, Ali Gul, Zafer Gul, Serdal Taskin, Baris Kilic, Servet Yildirim, Mehmet Erdogan, Guldem Isik, Ceyda Kiryak, Kadir Ozturk, Omur Yilmaz, Merthan Acil, Tolga Ozgen, Hakan Atinc Dayigil, Murat Kanbur, Emre Serkan Bayraktar, Vahit Dogan, Fatos Ayik, Huseyin Ekrem Fidan, Seda Hosel Kiraz, Sergen Kurt, Yusuf Yuce, Ercan Saatci, Mehmet Muhittin Palazoglu, Furkan Remzi Ceylan, Suleyman Atik, Hakan Karanis, Elif Guven, Nihat Ucan, Birsen Sahin, Canan Mumuklu, Can Akin Caglar, Cemal Ufuk Karakaya, Bugra Gokce, Kagan Surmegöz, Bayram Taskin, Ebru Yilmazlar, Gurkan Akgun, Murat Abbas, Dogan Hamit Dogruer, Halit Burak Atalan, Bilal Onver, Ilker Durademir, Ipek Elif Atayman, Ilknur Tasdelen, Burak Arslan, Samih Asan, Emrah Oksuz, Onur Bugra Subasi, Eyup Subasi, Gulsah Subasi, Ahmet Koksal, Serhat Kapki, Yusuf Ilbak, Ali Ilbak, Murat Ilbak, Mustafa Ilbak, Umut Senol, Mete Sarisaltun, Edip Cenk Unalerzen, Irfan Karakas, Inan Boztas, Ahmet Taha Bilgin, Kamil Timur Delibas, Alihan Aydin, Alper Aydin, Alperen Aydin, Ahmet Palazoglu, Kaan Ketenci, Ahmet Hamdi Cicek, Haci Ahmet Gul, Serkan Ozturk, Necati Ozkan, Kabil Taskci, Vedat Sahin, Serdar Haydanli, Yasar Ceri, Emin Ferhat Ertek, Harun Cengiz Begenmez, Hasan Oczoy, Ahmet Cicek, Adem Tuncay, Rauf Cem Istranca, Omer Gursoy, Ugurhan Atma, Ozge Bagdatli, Fatos Pinar Turker.
Developments
Turkish lira plunged to an all-time low against major currencies following the early-morning detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The lira’s value dropped by over 10% after the market opened at 7:00 a.m., accompanied by a 7% fall in Istanbul stocks. By 8:00 a.m. GMT, losses narrowed to 6%, leading to speculation about potential central bank intervention.
Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek assured markets that necessary measures were being taken to stabilize the situation, while former Central Bank economist Hakan Kara hinted at a possible sell-off from national reserves to address the volatility.
Everything necessary for the healthy functioning of the markets is being done. The economic program we are implementing continues with determination.
Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek
Metro, tram, and road closures in Istanbul amid protest ban
In response to the detention, Istanbul authorities imposed a four-day protest ban from March 19 to 23, resulting in the temporary closure of several metro stations, tram services, and key roads in the city.
Several metro stations and a funicular line, along with key roads, will remain closed during this period:
- Emniyet-Fatih station on the M1 Yenikapi–Ataturk Airport/Kirazli Metro Line
- Taksim station on the M2 Yenikapi–Haciosman Metro Line
- F1 Taksim-Kabatas Funicular Line
- Taksim-Kabatas Funicular station (with a stationary train)
Additionally, the following roads have been closed:
- Adnan Menderes Boulevard (Vatan Avenue) and all connecting roads between Aksaray Junction and D100 Junction
- Side roads of Adnan Menderes Boulevard, between Akdeniz Street—Oguzhan Street Junction and Kale Boyu Street—Sulukule Street Junction (both directions)
- Aksemsettin Street and all connecting roads
- Kocasinan Street and all connecting roads
- Mutercim Asim Street and all connecting roads
- Oguzhan Street and all connecting roads
- Akdeniz Street and all connecting roads
Political reactions
National leader Devlet Bahceli called for respect and patience regarding judicial decisions, emphasizing that no one is above the law. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel visited Dilek Imamoglu in solidarity with the detained mayor.
Good Party (IYI) Party Leader Musavat Dervisoglu criticized the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, stating that it cannot be justified by reason, law, or conscience.
He expressed concern that the incident was undermining Türkiye’s stability and the will of the people.
Dervisoglu emphasized that such actions were unprecedented in Türkiye’s democratic history, equating them to events typically seen in undemocratic regimes.
He described the situation as a significant issue for Türkiye’s legal and political framework. Dervisoglu also decided to go to Istanbul to show support for Imamoglu.
Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) Party Leader Ali Babacan responded to the detention of Istanbul Imamoglu, stating that the political space in Türkiye is being narrowed.
“This means, ‘I’ve decided, as long as I live and am in power, no one else will have this authority.’ If this is the case, then it means Türkiye has undergone a regime change,” Babacan said.
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