Turkish police have detained 22 municipal employees and officials in İstanbul’s Şile district in what prosecutors described as a second wave of an ongoing corruption investigation targeting the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)-run municipality.
In a statement dated Dec. 23, the İstanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said the probe centers on allegations of forming a criminal organization, bribery, extortion/abuse of public office and rigging public tenders, alleging the network was led by Şile Mayor Özgür Kabadayı.
Prosecutors said detention orders were issued after reviewing suspect and witness statements given under “effective remorse” provisions, documents believed linked to bribery, preliminary forensic reviews of suspects’ phones, telecommunications/HTS records, and financial transaction analyses including reports from Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK).
The operation follows an earlier July raid in which Kabadayı was detained on July 10 and later arrested. Turkey’s Interior Ministry subsequently suspended him from office — a standard administrative measure applied to elected officials held under arrest during an investigation.
Allegations tied to zoning and permits
District municipalities in Turkey wield significant authority over zoning decisions and construction permits, and prosecutors previously sought Kabadayı’s arrest on claims that bribes were taken in exchange for planning approvals and permits, according to Turkish media reports.
CHP figures have accused authorities of building cases on rumor and politics rather than evidence.
Wider crackdown narrative
The Şile detentions come amid a broader wave of investigations and arrests involving opposition-run municipalities, particularly those led by the CHP, Turkey’s largest opposition party.
A running tally by independent outlet bianet reports that since Oct. 30, 2024, multiple CHP mayors and municipal officials have been arrested or removed, including high-profile cases in İstanbul districts such as Esenyurt (where a trustee was appointed after the elected mayor’s arrest) and Şişli (where the district governor was appointed as trustee after the mayor’s detention).
The campaign drew nationwide attention after the detention and arrest of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the CHP’s most prominent figure and a leading potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Reuters has reported that İmamoğlu’s arrest triggered mass protests and renewed accusations that the judiciary is being used to weaken political rivals — claims the Turkish government denies, insisting the courts act independently.
Last month, prosecutors finalized a massive indictment accusing İmamoğlu of leading a criminal organization and attributing 142 alleged offenses, with Anadolu Agency reporting prosecutors sought a combined sentence of up to 2,430 years. İmamoğlu has denied the charges
