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Fresh Wave of Arrests Target Istanbul-Affiliated Municipalities in Widening Political Probe

ibb building

A major police operation swept across Turkey this morning as part of an expanding investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB). Arrest warrants have been issued for 47 individuals, including several high-profile district mayors from opposition-held municipalities.

Fifth Wave Targets Local CHP Figures

Launched under the direction of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the operation marks the fifth wave of the ongoing probe. Among those targeted are:

  • Hasan Akgün, Mayor of Büyükçekmece

  • Hakan Bahçetepe, Mayor of Gaziosmanpaşa

  • Utku Caner Çaykara, Mayor of Avcılar

  • Kadir Aydar, Mayor of Ceyhan

  • Oya Tekin, Mayor of Seyhan

Also included are senior officials from İBB subsidiaries ISFALT and Ağaç A.Ş., former CHP MP Aykut Erdoğdu, and CHP Party Assembly member Baki Aydöner.

Police Raid Without Legal Counsel Sparks Outrage

Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara was reportedly detained in a pre-dawn raid, with police surrounding the municipal building shortly afterward. Notably, the initial search of the building was conducted without legal counsel present—a move that has drawn sharp criticism and public protest. Residents gathered outside the municipal building in solidarity.

Full List of Names Facing Detention

In addition to the mayors, several deputy mayors and municipal executives have been targeted:

  • Burak Korzay, ISFALT General Manager

  • Ali Sukas, Ağaç A.Ş. General Manager

  • Erdal Celal Aksoy, İBB Deputy Secretary General

  • Ozan İş, Beşiktaş Deputy Mayor

  • Erhan Daka, Avcılar Deputy Mayor

  • Alican Abacı, Beşiktaş Deputy Mayor

  • Mehmet Mandacı, Avcılar Deputy Mayor

  • Rıza Can Özdemir, Büyükçekmece Deputy Mayor

  • Ömer Kazancı, Büyükçekmece Deputy Mayor

Prosecutor’s Office Confirms Legal Basis

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement confirming that arrest, search, and seizure orders have been executed in connection with four separate case files. The statement noted that legal proceedings are ongoing.

Istanbul Metro Access Curtailed Amid Political Fallout

In a surprising move following the arrests, the Istanbul Governor’s Office ordered the closure of several major metro stations, including Taksim and Şişhane, effective from 3:00 PM local time today until further notice.

  • Trains on the M2 Metro Line will not stop at Taksim Station.

  • The F1 Taksim-Kabataş funicular line and İstiklal Street entrance of Şişhane Station are also closed.

  • Passengers will be rerouted through alternative stations.

CHP Officials Condemn the Operation

The Republican People’s Party (CHP) responded with a wave of condemnations, branding the arrests as a politically motivated crackdown.

Burhanettin Bulut, CHP Deputy Chair, stated:

“Since March 19, no credible evidence has been found. Now, they are inventing crimes and launching new smear campaigns. These attacks will be rejected by the nation’s conscience.”

Murat Emir, CHP Parliamentary Group Deputy Chair, accused the government of revenge politics:

“They’re detaining clean, public-serving individuals out of sheer vengeance. They’re weaponizing the judiciary against elected officials.”

Gül Çiftci, another Deputy Chair, denounced the operation as a form of political persecution:

“This regime is trying to dismantle what it cannot defeat at the ballot box—using fabricated evidence and secret witnesses to dismantle elected administrations.”

Ensar Aytekin added:

“To the people of Istanbul, this is the message: ‘If you don’t vote for us, we’ll make life hell for those you do elect.’ But neither our people nor their representatives will bow.”

Zeliha Aksaz Şahbaz said:

“These are unconstitutional, illegitimate political operations. We will not be silenced.”

İsmail Emre Telci, a senior member of CHP’s disciplinary board, emphasized:

“Confessions extracted through coercion have no legal value. Evidence is supposed to lead to suspects—not the other way around. This violates every principle of criminal justice.”

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