An operation has been carried out in Istanbul as part of an investigation into Bakırköy Municipality.
The investigation, conducted by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, is examining allegations of irregularities in the municipality's tender processes and the unlawful solicitation of money from business owners seeking to obtain workplace opening and operating licenses.
DETENTION WARRANTS FOR 68 PEOPLE
As part of the investigation, detention warrants were issued for 68 suspects, including deputy mayors, municipal council members, municipal staff, and company representatives. It was reported that 37 people, including 5 deputy mayors and 2 council members, have been taken into custody.
According to the statement made by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 42 tender files conducted by various directorates of the municipality between 2024 and 2026 were examined by experts. As part of the investigation, the suspects' HTS (communication) records and Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) reports were also analyzed. Additionally, measures for the detection of communication and surveillance with technical devices were employed.
In the investigation conducted under charges of bid-rigging and extortion, the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command's Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (KOM) Branch Directorate was instructed to apprehend, detain, take statements from, search, and seize evidence from the suspects.
STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
The full text of the press release issued by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is as follows:
“Following reports received by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office alleging that public losses occurred as a result of criminal irregularities in tender files for goods and services conducted by the Bakırköy Municipality; that money was unlawfully demanded from business owners requesting workplace operating licenses; and that the licensing processes of businesses that did not pay the requested amounts were deliberately delayed;
Observing the provisions of the Turkish Penal Code No. 5237, the Public Financial Management and Control Law No. 5018, the Public Procurement Law No. 4734, the Public Procurement Contracts Law No. 4735, and the Implementation Regulation on Goods Procurement Tenders,
In the investigation conducted by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on charges of bid-rigging and extortion, expert examinations were conducted on 42 tender files carried out by various directorates of Bakırköy Municipality between 2024 and 2026 via open and bargaining procedures; analyses of the suspects' HTS records and MASAK reports were performed; and following the application of measures for the detection of communication and surveillance with technical devices,
Instructions for apprehension, detention, taking statements, examination, search, and seizure were issued to the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command KOM Branch Directorate regarding 68 suspects, including Deputy Mayors, Municipal Council Members, and municipal staff deemed to have participated in the alleged crimes, as well as company representatives who participated in the tenders.
Respectfully announced to the public.
Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office”
News Source: 12punto
