Breaking News... New move regarding Zeydan Karalar: Removed from office

Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zeydan Karalar and Istanbul Büyükçekmece Deputy Mayor Ahmet Şahin have been temporarily removed from their duties following their arrests as part of ongoing judicial processes.

A statement regarding the matter was issued by the Ministry of Interior. The statement is as follows:

"Büyükçekmece Deputy Mayor Ahmet ŞAHİN,

Following his arrest by the Istanbul 4th Criminal Judgeship of Peace on 08.07.2025, with inquiry number 2025/742, as part of an investigation conducted into the charges of 'Membership in an Organization for the Purpose of Committing Crimes and Accepting Bribes',

has been removed from office as a temporary measure by the Ministry of Interior in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipal Law No. 5393.

Following the arrest of Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zeydan KARALAR by the Istanbul 8th Criminal Judgeship of Peace on 08.07.2025, with inquiry number 2025/856, as part of an investigation conducted into the charge of 'Extortion by Coercion',

he has been removed from office as a temporary measure by the Ministry of Interior in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipal Law No. 5393"

ELECTION DATE ANNOUNCED

Meanwhile, the Istanbul Governorship announced that the Büyükçekmece Municipal Council will convene on Monday, July 14, 2025, to elect a Deputy Mayor for the second time, following the arrest of Deputy Mayor Ahmet Şahin, who had taken over after Mayor Hasan Akgün.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The latest operation targeting CHP-run municipalities was organized based on the testimonies of certain individuals working for businessman Aziz İhsan Aktaş, who is reported to have benefited from effective remorse provisions. Karalar, who was detained at his sister's house in Gebze while returning to Istanbul after visiting CHP's presidential candidate and IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is currently imprisoned in Silivri, was arrested after being referred to the judgeship.

Büyükçekmece Deputy Mayor Ahmet Şahin, who was elected to replace Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün—who was arrested in the 'corruption' investigation targeting municipalities—was also arrested after being taken into custody.