Bayrampaşa Municipality Corruption Probe Deepens with New Arrests

A major corruption investigation centered on Bayrampaşa Municipality in Istanbul has widened further, as authorities carried out a new operation targeting alleged wrongdoing within the local administration. The latest development resulted in the detention of 11 additional suspects, including public officials, intensifying a case that has already led to the arrest of Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu. Prosecutors say the expanding scope of the investigation points to a systematic pattern of corruption rather than isolated misconduct.

Investigation Enters a New Phase

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that the investigation into corruption allegations at Bayrampaşa Municipality has moved into a new and more comprehensive phase. Acting on newly obtained evidence, teams from the Financial Crimes Unit launched coordinated operations aimed at individuals suspected of being part of an organized corruption network linked to the municipality.

Authorities stated that recent testimonies from complainants, witnesses, and suspects cooperating under effective remorse provisions, combined with digital evidence and identification procedures, played a decisive role in triggering the latest operation. Investigators believe these materials significantly strengthen the case and reveal deeper layers of alleged illegal activity.

Dawn Raids Result in 11 Detentions

Following prosecutorial instructions, police units conducted simultaneous dawn raids on the homes and workplaces of 13 identified suspects. According to official information shared by the prosecutor’s office:

Eleven suspects were apprehended and taken into police custody
Two suspects were not present at their addresses, and efforts to locate and arrest them are ongoing
Numerous digital devices and documents were seized during searches

Officials noted that the seized materials are expected to provide critical insights into financial transactions, procurement procedures, and internal decision-making processes within the municipality.

Allegations: Bribery, Abuse of Office, and Tender Rigging

In an official statement, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office detailed the nature of the allegations underpinning the investigation. The statement said:

“As part of the investigation conducted by our Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office concerning Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu, municipal public officials, and certain other individuals, it has been determined that there are actions related to the crimes of embezzlement, extortion, giving and receiving bribes, and rigging public tenders. Based on newly obtained complainant and witness statements, testimonies from suspects benefiting from effective remorse, identification procedures, and various digital pieces of evidence, arrest and detention warrants, as well as search and seizure orders for residences and workplaces, were issued simultaneously on January 21, 2026, for 13 suspects. These actions were carried out by the Financial Crimes Unit of the Istanbul Police Department. As a result, 11 suspects have been detained, while efforts to apprehend the remaining two suspects are ongoing.”

Prosecutors emphasized that the alleged offenses represent serious violations of public trust and suggest deliberate manipulation of municipal resources for personal or collective gain.

Mayor Hasan Mutlu Previously Arrested

The most recent operation follows earlier arrests that marked the first major phase of the investigation. Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu was among 26 individuals taken into custody and later formally arrested as part of the probe. In addition, courts imposed judicial control measures on 19 other suspects, indicating the breadth of the inquiry.

Following his arrest, Mutlu was suspended from his duties as mayor. He has denied allegations involving approximately three million Turkish lira in alleged corruption, rejecting claims that he personally benefited from illicit financial arrangements. Prosecutors, however, maintain that the evidence gathered so far warrants continued detention and further investigative measures.