Istanbul prosecutors open new tender fraud case against 14 municipal officials
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Istanbul prosecutors opened a new tender fraud case against 14 Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality officials, including purchasing chief Mustafa Sökmen. Twelve suspects were detained after inspector and expert reports found rigged tenders for Kent Lokantaları and the mayor's residence caused public losses. The case runs alongside the main İBB corruption trial where 51 defendants, including jailed former mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, were ordered held.
Key Facts
- Istanbul prosecutors ordered the detention of 14 İBB officials, including Purchasing Department head Mustafa Sökmen, in a new tender fraud case.
- Twelve of the 14 suspects were taken into custody.
- Inspector and expert reports found rigged tenders for Kent Lokantaları and the İBB presidential residence caused public losses.
- The main İBB corruption trial involves 414 defendants, 53 of them jailed, with İmamoğlu facing up to 2,352 years in prison.
- The court ordered continued detention for 51 defendants, including İmamoğlu, while releasing Bakırköy Deputy Mayor Ali Rıza Akyüz and advertiser Serkan Öztürk.
New Tender Fraud Case
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office opened a new tender file within the corruption investigation into İBB. Civil inspectorate and expert reports determined that some tenders for purchases for Kent Lokantaları and the İBB presidential residence were rigged and caused public losses. Detention warrants were issued for 14 suspects, including senior managers such as İBB Purchasing Department head Mustafa Sökmen, Purchasing Manager Talha Özyurt, and Finance Manager Rezzan Neslihan Vural. Twelve suspects were detained, and the investigation is based on a preliminary inspection report by the Interior Ministry's civil inspectorate and expert reports.
Main Corruption Trial
The main İBB corruption trial continues with 414 defendants, 53 of them jailed, over alleged bribery and corruption in 143 acts causing 161 billion lira in public losses. Prosecutors seek up to 2,352 years in prison for İmamoğlu, described as the organization's leader. During the hearing, İmamoğlu targeted Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, while the prosecutor requested continued detention for all 53 jailed defendants. The court ordered the release of Bakırköy Deputy Mayor Ali Rıza Akyüz and advertiser Serkan Öztürk, but continued detention for the remaining 51 defendants, including İmamoğlu.
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