Who is Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin? Why was Oya Tekin detained?

A new wave of operations has been launched as part of the ongoing investigation into the IBB. Within the scope of the operation, detention warrants were issued for 47 people, including Ceyhan Mayor Kadir Aydar, Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin, Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün, Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe, and Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara. So, who is Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin? What is the reason for the detention warrant?

WHO IS OYA TEKİN?

Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin was born in the Tarsus district of Mersin. A graduate of Istanbul University Faculty of Law, Tekin has been practicing as a freelance lawyer since 1991. Shaping her professional life around the struggle for rights, law, and justice, she was among the first women in Adana to establish a multi-practice and corporate law firm.

Having completed her master's degree in the Women's Studies department at Mersin University, Tekin was a candidate for parliament from the Republican People's Party (CHP) in the 6th spot for Adana in the June 24, 2018, general elections. She currently serves as the Chair of the CHP Adana Provincial Women's Branch.

She has held active roles within the Adana Bar Association in professional issues, women's rights, and environmental commissions; she also served as the Chair of the Internship Commission for two terms. Additionally, she was part of the management of the Democratic Lawyers Group and served as the chair of this group for one term.

An active figure in civil society, Tekin has served as a founding member or member in many non-governmental organizations focusing on the environment, human rights, and women's rights. As part of her work within the Association for the Protection of the Environment and Consumers (ÇETKO), the first environmental association founded in Adana in 1990, she served as a lawyer in the first environmental lawsuits filed in the region.

In 2013, following the migration of Syrian refugees to Adana, she conducted field research regarding their legal status and integration process into society and prepared a comprehensive report.

During the March 31 local election process, Tekin carried out various projects with female mukhtar candidates and authored a book titled "Breaking the Glass Ceilings" to increase the visibility of women in politics.

WHY WAS OYA TEKİN DETAINED?

A fifth wave of operations was launched this morning as part of a 'corruption' investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB).

Within the scope of the investigation, detention warrants were issued for 47 people, including Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün, Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe, and Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara.

Furthermore, in addition to executives at IBB subsidiaries and senior officials from several CHP-run municipalities, detention warrants were also issued for Ceyhan Mayor Kadir Aydar and Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin in Adana.