The Turkish Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday the suspension of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, along with Beylikdüzü Mayor Murat Çalık and Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, from their positions. The move follows a sweeping corruption investigation that has rocked Istanbul’s municipal leadership.
The investigation has led to the imprisonment of 45 individuals, including İmamoğlu and Çalık, earlier in the day. Another 44 individuals were released with judicial control conditions and a travel ban, according to the Ministry’s official statement.
Mayor İmamoğlu, seen as a prominent opposition leader and potential future presidential contender, was arrested on charges of “illegally recording personal data,” “accepting bribes,” and “manipulating public tenders.” The allegations pertain to his tenure at the helm of Istanbul’s municipality.
Beylikdüzü Mayor Murat Çalık was imprisoned on charges of “corruption” and “membership in an organization established to commit a crime,” while Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan was jailed for “aiding an armed terrorist organization.” Following Şahan’s removal, Şişli District Governor Cevdet Ertürkmen was appointed as trustee and will serve as acting mayor of the district.
In the meantime, the Istanbul Governorate announced that the municipal assemblies of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Beylikdüzü Municipality will convene on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, to elect acting mayors.
