Breaking News... Number of detainees rises to 29 in 2nd wave operation against Uşak Municipality! The list has emerged

Operations targeting CHP-run municipalities continue without slowing down.

Teams from the Istanbul Police Department's Financial Crimes Investigation Branch carried out a "second wave" operation as part of the investigation into Uşak Municipality.

Within the scope of the investigation, 25 people were initially detained. It was learned that the teams conducted simultaneous raids and searches at the designated addresses. It was reported that those detained include CHP Uşak Provincial Chairman Celalettin Çoban, Uşak Municipal Council Member and Uşakspor A.Ş. Club President Özhan Özgöbek, as well as some municipal employees, representatives of the entertainment sector, and business people.

It was stated that the suspects were taken to the police station for questioning following health checks.

WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued a written statement regarding the ongoing investigation.

The statement included the following:

"Within the scope of the investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Organized Crime Investigation Bureau regarding allegations of bid-rigging in tenders held by Uşak Municipality, soliciting bribes from tradespeople for various irregular business and transactions, collecting large sums of money under the guise of aid/donations to Uşak Spor, bringing cash to the mayor's office under the guise of donations, and high-level municipal officials visiting entertainment venues at night and having these expenses paid from the municipal budget under the guise of representation/hospitality expenses via food invoices, for the crimes of 'Bribery', 'Extortion', and 'Bid-Rigging'; in line with the research conducted, witness statements, sincere confessions of suspects testifying within the scope of effective remorse, digital examination reports, and the contents of reports prepared by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), a simultaneous operation was carried out on 20/04/2026 in the provinces of Uşak, İzmir, and Istanbul where the suspects were located, and a total of 27 suspects were apprehended and detained within the scope of the operation."

NUMBER OF DETAINEES RISES TO 29

The number of people detained in the simultaneous operations carried out in Istanbul, Uşak, and İzmir has reached 29.

Those detained include Uşakspor Club President Özhan Özgöbek and CHP Uşak Provincial Chairman Celalettin Çoban, as well as Fahreddin Altundal, Geylani Altundal, Ferhat Cucu, Umut Demir, Tolga Ergül, Sefa Taşcı, Kadir Cantürk, İsmet Yıldız, Rahmi Altundal, Cumali Altundal, Mustafa Arslan, Mehmet Arslan, Rasim Köse, Gürcan Demir, Ahmet Arslan, Ali Arı, Ahmet Yıldız, Akın Cantürk, Ulaş Küçükakın, Kemalettin Doğan, Adem Tuğrul Kaya, Cemal Ak, Ali Rıza Demir, Ceren Yeşildağ, Vedat Bayram, Mehmet Bayram, and Göksu Bayram.

HOW DID THE PROCESS BEGIN?

Uşak Mayor Özkan Yalım, who was detained as part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on charges of "bribery," "extortion," and "bid-rigging," was arrested and subsequently suspended from his post by the decision of the Ministry of Interior on March 31.

On the other hand, CHP Spokesperson Zeynel Emre had announced that a disciplinary process had been initiated within the party regarding Yalım. Emre stated at the Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting that Yalım's membership had been suspended and that the file would be examined by legal experts.