New development in IMM investigation: Mehmet Pehlivan to remain in custody

The testimony of Adem Soytekin, the owner of ASOY Construction, who was released after benefiting from "effective remorse" within the scope of the financial investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) but was later re-arrested, has come to the fore once again. According to information obtained from prosecution sources, the fact that Soytekin's statements were found to be "incomplete" and "inconsistent" will not change the detention status of lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan.

SOYTEKİN RE-ARRESTED

Adem Soytekin, who was arrested on March 23, 2025, as part of the investigation, had been released on July 10, 2025, after benefiting from effective remorse provisions. However, upon re-examination of the file, the prosecution stated that there were contradictions in Soytekin's declarations and requested his re-arrest on October 21.

The court found the prosecution's request appropriate and issued an arrest warrant for Soytekin on charges of "being a member of a criminal organization" and "taking bribes." Thus, Soytekin was sent to prison for the second time.

PEHLİVAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER EFFECTIVE REMORSE TESTIMONY

The testimony given by Soytekin within the scope of effective remorse had led to the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu's lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan. Pehlivan was arrested on charges of "being a member of a criminal organization."

In his statement to the prosecution, Soytekin claimed that after a precautionary measure was placed on his assets on March 7, 2025, he called Mehmet Pehlivan, and that on the evening of the same day, a meeting was held under Pehlivan's leadership, which was also attended by Fatih Keleş, Tuncay Yılmaz, Turan Taşkın Özer, Hüseyin Köksal, and İbrahim Bülbüllü.

According to the statement record, Soytekin alleged that Pehlivan spoke at the meeting about "how to direct the testimonies," that financial support would be provided if municipal bureaucrats were arrested, and that a narrative should be created that the operation was "political."

INCONSISTENCIES IN STATEMENTS WILL NOT AFFECT PEHLİVAN'S CASE

Following Soytekin's second arrest, "calls for freedom" were made for Mehmet Pehlivan on social media. However, according to information obtained from prosecution sources, the inconsistencies in Soytekin's statements will not have a direct impact on Pehlivan's case.

According to the report by Batuhan Serim from the Cumhuriyet newspaper, prosecution sources stated that there are not only Soytekin's declarations but also the statements of other individuals regarding Pehlivan. For this reason, no change is foreseen in Pehlivan's detention status.