Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat arrested: CHP members to gather at the municipality at 8 AM

The investigation process initiated in recent weeks against the CHP-run Esenler Municipality continues with the arrest of Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat. Akpolat, who was detained four days ago along with 47 others, most of whom are Beşiktaş Municipality employees, was referred to court with a request for his arrest today after giving a statement to the prosecutor's office for nearly 10 hours. Akpolat was arrested following a 15-minute hearing.

An investigation had been launched against Akpolat on the grounds that he aided a criminal organization allegedly led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş. The prosecution alleged that Akpolat engaged in tender corruption in favor of Aktaş.

A decision for detention pending trial was also issued for Aziz İhsan Aktaş, who was referred to the court.

The process of taking statements from Akpolat and the 47 individuals brought to the prosecutor's office the previous day (January 16) lasted nearly 10 hours. 40 of the suspects were referred to the judgeship with a request for arrest.

The judgeship ruled for the arrest of 29 suspects and the release of 2 individuals under judicial control conditions.

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır stated that the arrest decision was based on the testimony of a secret witness codenamed 'Yaprak'.

CHP MEMBERS REACTED TO THE DECISION WITH 'GOVERNMENT RESIGN' SLOGANS

Following the prosecutor's office's referral of Akpolat and some municipal employees to court with a request for arrest, the CHP had called on its party organization to gather in front of the Beşiktaş Municipality building.

Starting from the evening of January 16 (January 17), CHP members gathered in front of the municipal building to protest the investigation process. The vigil of the CHP members in front of the municipal building continued until around 03:00 at night.

CHP members opposed the decision by chanting slogans of "government resign."

'THIS DECISION WILL NOT MAKE ANY CHP MEMBER TAKE A STEP BACK'

CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik announced that they would come to the front of the municipality at 8 AM. Speaking to the crowd gathered in front of the municipality, Çelik said, 'We are starting a great struggle from this stage on.'

In his statement, the Provincial Chairman indicated that CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu would come to the front of the municipal building at 8 AM.

Çelik concluded his words by saying, 'We are here. We are standing tall. We will not allow anyone to seize the people's municipalities.'

CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik speaking in front of Beşiktaş Municipality

ÖZEL'S 'WE WILL STAND TALL' STATEMENT

Making a statement via his X social media account, Özel shared the following message:

'Let everyone know that; the arrest decision given for our Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat without a single piece of evidence, based on the testimony of a so-called secret witness, will not make any Republican People's Party member take a step back.

The mud thrown by the owners of this dirty order, those who keep the spirit of FETÖ alive, has never touched us and never will. We will stand tall with our nation, we will not surrender to this dirty order.

Every one of our members, every one of our citizens who believes in justice will fight with greater responsibility; this government, which tramples on law and democracy, will not be able to escape being defeated by the will of the nation.'

İMAMOĞLU'S MESSAGE: 'THERE IS NO SALVATION ALONE...'

İBB Mayor İmamoğlu also reacted to the decision via his X account and used the following expressions:

'Your conspiracies will not be able to bend this wrist! You will not be able to escape the democratic punch of the nation. There is no salvation alone. Either all together or none of us!'

Following the arrest decision, a post was also made from Rıza Akpolat's X account. The shared message read as follows:

'This conspiracy case is an assassination of reputation. Our fight to serve the people has not ended, and it will not end. The anger of millions fighting for rights, law, and justice will destroy your dark order!'