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Former İzmir Mayor Tunç Soyer Among 99 Facing Arrest in Major Corruption Probe

Tunç Soyer

İzmir, Türkiye – A major anti-corruption investigation targeting İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and affiliated cooperatives has resulted in 119 individuals being referred to court, including former Mayor Tunç Soyer and CHP İzmir Provincial Chair Şenol Aslanoğlu. Prosecutors have formally requested the arrest of 99 suspects, citing charges including rigging public tenders, fraud in contract execution, and aggravated fraud.

Operation Targets Top Officials and Cooperatives

The probe, led by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, was launched based on findings from multiple oversight reports, including those by the Court of Accounts, Interior Ministry inspectors, and independent experts. The operation focuses on İZBETON, a municipal construction company, and several cooperatives.

According to officials:

  • 137 individuals have been detained so far

  • 99 are subject to arrest requests

  • 20 face judicial supervision

  • 1 was released by the prosecutor

  • 20 others were freed by the Financial Crimes Unit

Alleged Crimes Include Tender Manipulation and Fraud

The charges stem from findings in:

  • Court of Accounts reports

  • Internal audits from the İzmir Municipality

  • Investigations by the Environment Ministry

  • Financial inspection reports

Authorities accuse the suspects of:

  • Rigging public tenders (“ihaleye fesat karıştırma”)

  • Fraud in executing contracts

  • Qualified fraud in public spending

High-Profile Names Under Scrutiny

Notable figures detained and now facing possible arrest include:

  • Tunç Soyer, former İzmir Mayor

  • Şenol Aslanoğlu, CHP İzmir Provincial Chair

  • Heval Savaş Kaya, former İZBETON GM

  • Gürkan Erdoğan, İZSU GM

  • Övünç Özgen, General Secretary Assistant (İzmir)

  • Yücel Erten, municipal arts director and former İZBETON board member

  • Ulaş Aydın, Manisa deputy secretary-general

  • Several deputy mayors, trade officials, and party figures

CHP Faces Political Pressure

This large-scale operation comes amid heightened political tension in Türkiye, as opposition parties accuse the government of weaponizing the judiciary. However, the prosecutor’s office maintains the operation is based solely on factual findings and legal violations.

What’s Next?

The suspects were brought to court after police questioning and medical examinations. Judicial decisions on arrests and releases are expected within hours. Observers say the case could have deep political ramifications heading into the 2026 elections, particularly for the main opposition CHP.

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