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Ankara Concert Spending Probe: 13 Detained Over Alleged ₺154 Million Public Loss

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The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a sweeping investigation into the concert expenditures of the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB), covering the years 2021 to 2024. Authorities allege that the municipality’s spending on 32 concerts caused more than ₺154 million in public losses, sparking accusations of misconduct and manipulation in tender processes.

The Allegations: Public Funds Misused

According to the prosecutor’s statement, the probe was triggered by reports from the Ministry of Interior’s Civil Inspection Board, combined with findings from MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board), the Court of Accounts, and independent expert evaluations.

These reports concluded that spending tied to the concerts created a financial shortfall for the state, amounting to ₺154,453,221.60. Investigators allege that procurement processes for stage services, sound systems, and organizational fees may have been manipulated to the detriment of public resources.

13 Detention Orders Issued

As part of the investigation, detention orders were issued against 13 individuals, including both former and current municipal officials as well as private sector business owners linked to the concert contracts.

Those named include:

  • Former ABB Culture and Social Affairs Department Heads and Deputy Heads

  • Former Acting Branch Managers within the Culture Events Directorate

  • Owners and partners of private event and organization companies that secured contracts for the concerts

The charges filed are “abuse of office” (görevi kötüye kullanma) and “bid rigging” (ihaleye fesat karıştırma).

On September 23, 2025, simultaneous operations were carried out, resulting in the detention of all 13 suspects. The operations were conducted by the Financial Crimes Division of the Ankara Provincial Police Department.

Official Statement from the Prosecutor’s Office

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued a written statement detailing the scope and reasoning of the probe. The statement read:

“Based on reports from the Civil Inspection Board of the Ministry of Interior, MASAK, the Court of Accounts, and expert opinions, it has been determined that in 32 concert service procurements, the administration suffered a loss of ₺154,453,221.60. Accordingly, simultaneous detention orders were executed against 13 suspects, including municipal officials and company representatives.”

The suspects are now being transferred to the prosecutor’s office for questioning, with further legal proceedings expected in the coming days.

Companies Under Scrutiny

The investigation also targets private event companies accused of benefiting from inflated contracts. These include:

  • Evren Teknik Grup Müzik Organizasyon San. Tic. Ltd. Şti.

  • Universe Production Organizasyon San. Tic. Ltd. Şti.

  • Festiva & Enfest Organizasyon Turizm San. Tic. Ltd. Şti.

  • Gurudan Turizm Danışmanlık Organizasyon Reklam San. Tic. A.Ş.

  • Yalınayak Gıda Organizasyon Turizm San. Tic. Ltd. Şti.

The firms are suspected of collusion in tenders and of potentially securing financial benefits at the expense of municipal funds.

A High-Profile Political Case

The case has attracted significant public and political attention, not only because of the amount involved but also due to its timing. The investigation directly touches on the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, led by Mayor Mansur Yavaş, a figure often at the center of political debates in Turkey’s capital.

While the prosecutor’s office has highlighted evidence-based claims, supporters of the municipality argue that similar probes have historically been used as political pressure tools against local administrations.

Next Steps in the Legal Process

With the suspects in custody, the next phase of the case will involve:

  1. Detailed interrogations of municipal officials and business representatives.

  2. Further forensic accounting audits to verify the scale of financial damage.

  3. Court decisions on whether to extend detention, release suspects under judicial control, or pursue indictments.

The case may ultimately test the boundaries between administrative accountability and political controversy, particularly given past disputes over municipal spending in Ankara.

Why This Matters

The investigation underscores ongoing tensions over how public procurement and cultural spending are managed in Turkey’s largest municipalities. Concerts and cultural events often carry symbolic as well as financial weight, and allegations of misuse of funds can easily spill into broader political narratives.

For now, the legal process continues under close scrutiny, with both supporters and critics of ABB waiting to see whether the accusations will hold up in court or collapse under claims of political maneuvering.

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