Operation at Bayraklı Municipality in İzmir: Former Mayor Serdar Sandal detained

An operation was carried out in İzmir as part of an investigation into the previous term of the Bayraklı Municipality. It was reported that 45 people, including former Bayraklı Mayor Serdar Sandal, were detained in the operation.

It was stated that the investigation is being conducted by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and that some expenditures and procurement transactions from the municipality's previous term are being examined.

It was reported that the case file is based on examinations by Court of Accounts auditors and inspection board reports, and includes allegations that duplicate invoices were issued for certain procurement items and that high-amount payments were made.

Among those detained is the municipality's former Private Secretary, Berk Ulusal. It was stated that personnel who signed off on goods and services procurements, authorized figures from that period, and some company officials and owners who received payments were also detained as part of the operation.

FIRST STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

The following statement was made by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the operation:

"Under the coordination of our İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, as part of joint efforts conducted by the İzmir Provincial Police Department's Anti-Financial Crimes Branch and the Intelligence Branch; an operation decision was made following the acquisition of evidence regarding the crimes of 'Establishing an Organization for the Purpose of Committing Crimes,' 'Bribery,' and 'Rigging Tenders' in an investigation into a structure evaluated to be acting under the leadership of former Bayraklı Mayor Serdar Sandal. Within the scope of the investigation; in line with Court of Accounts reports, MASAK reports, technical and physical work, and obtained information and documents, detention warrants were issued for a total of 48 suspects, including the former Bayraklı Mayor, managers and employees who served in the municipality and municipal companies, and authorized persons and owners of various companies. A simultaneous operation was carried out under the coordination of our İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to apprehend the suspects and seize evidence of the crimes, resulting in the detention of 45 suspects. Efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects and to carry out search and seizure procedures at the addresses are ongoing. The investigation is being conducted meticulously and in a multi-faceted manner in order to reveal the material truth in all its aspects."

News Source: 12punto