In an operation conducted by gendarmerie teams as part of an investigation into the Çukurova Municipality in Adana, 44 suspects, including Mayor Emrah Kozay and former Mayor Soner Çetin, were detained. Teams, which took security measures at the municipal building and campus in the morning hours, carried out search and inspection work in the building. It was reported that detention warrants were issued for 51 suspects as part of the operation.
It was stated that the investigation, conducted by the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, was launched following allegations regarding purchases made through a joint-stock company affiliated with the municipality and progress payment disbursements made to contractors who received work from the municipality.
It was learned that the investigation file examines allegations that the exception provisions of the Public Procurement Law were used irregularly, bribes were received in exchange for progress payment disbursements, and some municipal personnel received salaries despite not actually going to work.
Tender and direct procurement documents for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026, obtained from the municipality, were evaluated by a three-person expert committee. In line with the prepared report and other evidence obtained within the scope of the investigation, the gendarmerie teams carried out a dawn operation.
Among the 44 people detained were the current Mayor Emrah Kozay, former Mayor and CHP Deputy Secretary General Soner Çetin, and 4 deputy mayors currently in office. It was stated that among the suspects were 4 tradesmen and contractors who received work from the municipality, as well as a relative of Mayor Kozay.
FORMER MAYOR SONER ÇETİN ALSO IN DETENTION
Former Mayor Soner Çetin, who was detained as part of the operation, was taken to the gendarmerie command for questioning after a health check at the forensic medicine institute.
It was learned that in the investigation file, Emrah Kozay is listed as the "organization leader" and his aunt, Sıdıka Ş., as an "organization manager." It was also reported that the file includes the allegation that some municipal personnel received salaries despite not actually performing their duties.
It was reported that the investigation is being carried out under the charges of "establishing, managing, and being a member of an organization for the purpose of committing a crime," "bribery," "qualified fraud," and "rigging a tender." Following the operation, new statements are expected regarding the scope of the detention warrants and the details of the investigation.
EMRAH KOZAY HAD RESIGNED FROM CHP
Çukurova Mayor Emrah Kozay had previously announced that he had resigned from the Republican People's Party (CHP). Kozay had announced that he would continue his political life under the umbrella of the New Party.
News Source: 12punto
