Tuğba Ölmez Hancı Investigation Sparks Debate

A high-profile legal operation targeting İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) has led to the detention of several high-ranking officials, most notably Prof. Dr. Tuğba Ölmez Hancı. The investigation, centered on the IBB subsidiary Ağaç ve Peyzaj A.Ş., alleges a scheme involving “irregular tender systems” and “bid-rigging.” Out of 30 suspects identified by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, 29 have been taken into custody, including IBB Deputy Secretary General Oktay Özel.

From Presidential Honors to Legal Custody

The detention of Prof. Dr. Tuğba Ölmez Hancı has drawn significant public attention due to her distinguished academic background. A faculty member at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) in the Department of Environmental Engineering, Hancı is a highly decorated scientist. In 2017, she received the prestigious TÜBİTAK Incentive Award, presented directly by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a ceremony at the Presidential Complex.

The award was granted in recognition of her international contributions to environmental engineering, specifically regarding the removal of endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic substances using advanced oxidation processes. Her academic profile highlights a career dedicated to water treatment, nanotechnology, and environmental chemistry.

Emotional Context Amidst Legal Proceedings

Beyond the political and legal implications, the timing of the operation has added a layer of human interest to the story. Reports indicate that Prof. Dr. Hancı was detained on the very day of her twin children’s birthday. This detail has sparked intense discussion on social media about the investigation procedures.

The prosecution alleges that the suspects established a fraudulent system to manipulate tenders within the municipal subsidiary. As the Ağaç ve Peyzaj A.Ş. investigation continues, judicial proceedings are underway for the 29 individuals currently in custody, while one suspect remains abroad. The case continues to evolve as authorities examine the technical and financial details of the disputed municipal contracts.

source: karar