Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu arrested, sent to prison over corruption
Photo illustration depicts Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu during a speech. (Collage prepared by Türkiye Today team)
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested on Sunday morning on charges of leading a criminal organization involved in fraud and bribery.
Imamoglu was detained early Wednesday, March 19, 2025, along with 105 others as part of a wide-ranging investigation into a criminal organization allegedly involved in fraud and bribery. Authorities said Imamoglu faces multiple charges, including leading and being a member of a criminal organization, embezzlement, bribery, aggravated fraud, unlawful acquisition of personal data, and rigging public tenders.
Imamoglu is reportedly at the center of several ongoing investigations, primarily focused on corruption and financial misconduct. As part of the probe, assets belonging to his contracting company, Imamoglu Insaat, were also seized.
According to judicial sources, the legal actions against him involve two major investigations: one concerning corruption and irregularities in public tenders, and another linked to municipal hiring practices, which allegedly involved the recruitment of individuals with ties to the terrorist group PKK.
In addition, separate allegations have emerged regarding the mismanagement of party funds, adding further complexity to the case.
48 in custody
Following their processing at the police station, several suspects were transferred to Istanbul Courthouse in Caglayan, where their proceedings before the on-duty criminal court of peace took place.
The court ordered Imamoglu’s arrest on corruption charges, while placing him under judicial control in the terrorism probe.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested as part of a financial investigation. According to the statement, the Magistrate Court ordered his arrest on several charges, including establishing and leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, extortion, unlawfully recording personal data, and interfering with a public tender.
Murat Ongun, an aide to Imamoglu and the chairman of Medya Inc. —a company owned by the municipality— along with Imamoglu Insaat Company General Manager Tuncay Yilmaz were also arrested as part of the investigation.
While a total of 48 suspects have been arrested, legal proceedings for the remaining individuals are still ongoing.
