Istanbul: The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued an arrest warrant for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and 99 others on charges related to corruption, bribery, and terrorism, according to authorities. The investigation accuses Imamoglu of leading a criminal organization involved in activities such as fraud, bid-rigging, embezzlement, and bribery.
According to Anadolu Agency, the prosecutors allege that Imamoglu appointed close associates from his previous role as mayor of the Beylikduzu district to influential positions within the Istanbul Municipality. This network reportedly funneled funds into shell companies for personal benefit. Financial reports suggest that contractors awarded city projects were pressured into making payments to Imamoglu and his associates. Fraudulent invoices, inflated contract bids, and fictitious projects allegedly enabled the laundering of proceeds, with some funds redirected into private construction ventures. Additionally, the personal data of Istanbul residents was reportedly obtained illegally to sustain the organization’s operations.
The investigation implicates several municipality subsidiaries such as Medya AS, Kultur AS, KIPTAS, and ISFALT, with multiple officials allegedly involved in financial misconduct. Simultaneous raids and asset seizures have been conducted, with several suspects already in custody.
In a separate investigation, allegations of terrorism-related activities have led to additional detention orders for Imamoglu and six others, including municipality Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat and Resul Emrah Sahan, mayor of Istanbul’s Sisli district. Prosecutors claim Imamoglu participated in an “urban consensus” initiative linked to the People’s Democratic Congress (HDK), a group associated with the PKK, ahead of Turkey’s March 2024 local elections.
The PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU, has been responsible for numerous deaths over its 40-year campaign against Turkey. Prosecutors allege that Imamoglu supported the initiative by approving city council candidate lists aligned with the PKK’s objectives. The claim further states that multiple municipality subsidiaries, including the Istanbul Planning Agency and BIMTAS, employed individuals with alleged PKK affiliations. Authorities have reported the arrests of 18 city council members for alleged PKK links, including deputy mayors of Atasehir and Kartal.
Following detention orders, 84 suspects have been detained as part of the investigations into terrorism, corruption, and organized crime within the municipality. Among those detained are Mayor Imamoglu, his advisor Murat Ongun, Sisli Mayor Sahan, Beylikduzu district Mayor Murat Calik, and singer Ercan Saatci, along with 84 other suspects. Authorities are still working to apprehend 22 additional suspects.
An Istanbul Municipality statement described the unfolding events as a ‘sad’ process, expressing confidence that justice will be restored and that colleagues, including the mayor, will return to their duties. The statement emphasized the municipality’s commitment to continue providing uninterrupted service to Istanbul’s 16 million residents.
The investigations have ignited political controversy, with opposition figures condemning the charges as politically motivated. Imamoglu, a prominent member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has been a vocal critic of the Turkish government. His legal team has dismissed the charges as baseless, arguing that the probes aim to weaken opposition leadership ahead of the national elections in 2028. Authorities continue their investigations, with further arrests anticipated.