Release decision in İzmir Metropolitan Municipality investigation: 30 detainees released
A significant development has occurred in the 56-defendant case regarding the corruption investigation into the municipality in İzmir. All 30 of the detained defendants were released as part of the preliminary proceedings.
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A new development has occurred in the tender rigging investigation conducted into the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, which has caused a major stir in public opinion. The investigation was being carried out regarding the "Procurement of Construction Machinery and Vehicle Rental Services within the Scope of Climate Change and Zero Waste Department Duties" in 2023 and similar tenders conducted in 2024 "within the Scope of City Cleaning Branch Directorate Duties."
An indictment prepared against a total of 56 people, 30 of whom were detained, on charges of "rigging the performance of an obligation" was accepted, and a public lawsuit was filed.
30 DETAINEES RELEASED
According to the report by Cumhuriyet, the İzmir 17th Criminal Court of First Instance issued a release decision for all 30 detained defendants within the framework of preliminary proceedings. Among those released are some notable names:
Former İZBETON A.Ş. General Manager Heval Savaş Kaya,
Buca Deputy Mayor Engin Güzel,
Bayraklı Deputy Mayor Mehmet Mert Hanifi Yılmaz.
However, Heval Savaş Kaya was not released from prison as the detention order issued against him in another investigation — the cooperative file — remains in effect.
20 DEFENDANTS WERE ALSO RELEASED YESTERDAY
The releases were not limited to this file alone. One day earlier, a release decision was issued for 20 defendants in another tender rigging investigation heard at the İzmir 28th Criminal Court of First Instance, which was conducted regarding "Asphalt Paving on Transportation Roads, Road and Construction Maintenance, Repair and Renovation" works.
CHANGES TO JUDICIAL CONTROL CONDITIONS
Some obligations of the 20 defendants who were previously released under judicial control during the investigation process were lifted. However, the court ruled that the travel ban measure should continue.
LIST OF THOSE RELEASED
According to the list in Ege Saati, the full list of individuals released in the case under judicial control conditions is as follows:
Akın Geyik, Alper Sualp, Bahar Wölfler, Belis Bora Gaşgil, Bilge Avcıoğlu, Cihan Malhatun, Engin Güzel, Ethem Kara İbrahimoğlu, Gökhan Bozokalfa, Hakan Çağli, Halil Evren, Halil Gündoğdu, Halil Karataş, Hatice Alev Yavuz, Haydarhan İzgin, Heval Savaş Kaya, Hikmet Sunal, Hüseyin Çavdar, İbrahim Okan Küçük, Kamil Usta, Kerem Yasa, Mehmet Hanifi Mert Yılmaz, Mehmet Kadir Kahya, Onur Yıldırım, Ömer Tolga Yaman, Özgür Türkeku, Seda Yılmaz, Ulaş Güzel, Yakup Gök.