Bakırköy Municipality probe: five released, 68 suspects detained

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating Bakırköy Municipality over alleged irregularities in goods and service procurement tenders. The probe also covers claims that unlawful demands were made to some tradespeople seeking workplace opening and operating licenses, and that license procedures were deliberately delayed for businesses that refused those demands.

Experts examined 42 open and negotiated procedure tender files conducted by various municipal directorates between 2024 and 2026. Based on HTS records, MASAK reports, and physical and technical monitoring data, arrest warrants were issued for 68 suspects accused of participating in a criminal organization.

“not leaving the residence”

Simultaneous operations were carried out by teams from the Istanbul Gendarmerie Command KOM Branch Directorate. After prosecutor interrogations, 21 municipal employees and 19 company representatives were sent to the criminal court of peace with an arrest request. The prosecution cited the nature of the allegations, expected penalty amounts, and evidence in the file.

The prosecution also requested travel bans abroad for 12 company representatives and three municipal employees, evaluating the number of acts, tender offer contents, and links among suspects. A travel ban was additionally requested for suspect Metin Soğuksu while examinations of seized digital materials continue, with reassessment planned after reports are completed.

Suspect Mustafa Özdemir was sent to court with a request for judicial control in the form of “not leaving the residence,” taking his age and current evidence status into account. Five municipal employees and one company representative were released after their prosecutor procedures were completed, citing the evidence situation.

Among those released were the municipality’s Special Budget Director Suzan Kurt and Legal Affairs Director lawyer Sinan Derman. The operations were conducted by the Istanbul Gendarmerie Command KOM Branch Directorate teams.