Istanbul’s Beykoz deputy mayor detained over procurement tender irregularities

Authorities detained Fidan Gul, deputy mayor of Istanbul’s Beykoz district, as part of an ongoing corruption investigation into bid rigging and criminal organization allegations.

The detention comes amid a widening probe by the Beykoz Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office that has already led to the arrest of 12 individuals, including Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Koseler.

Teams from the Istanbul Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit took Gul into custody following an arrest warrant issued on allegations of bid rigging in certain procurement tenders conducted by the Social Assistance Affairs Directorate. Investigators also searched Gul’s residence and workplace.

According to official sources, Gul previously served as a kindergarten director in Beylikduzu Municipality before being appointed as the social assistance affairs director in Beykoz Municipality in June 2024. Her prior experience also includes positions in the Culture and Sports Directorate during Ekrem Imamoglu’s tenure as Beylikduzu mayor.

Imamoglu, who later became Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality mayor, was recently removed from office after being arrested in a separate corruption investigation.

The Beykoz investigation continues as prosecutors examine allegations of “bid rigging” and “establishing, membership in, or aiding a criminal organization.”