Turkish authorities detained 22 Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) employees on Tuesday in a major anti-corruption operation targeting alleged irregularities in public tenders.

The sweep focuses on Medya AŞ and Kültür AŞ, two key IBB subsidiaries, with detainees facing charges of bribery and tender manipulation.

Among those arrested is Taner Çetin, head of IBB’s media and public relations department, accused of rigging tenders to favor companies with personal or financial ties. Investigators allege Çetin and other officials excluded competitors and awarded contracts for bribes, backed by Financial Crime Investigation Reports (MASAK) and surveillance evidence. Authorities also raided a company linked to the fraudulent deals.

This operation follows the March arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent Republican People’s Party (CHP) figure, charged with running a criminal organization, tender rigging, and accepting bribes related to construction permits and zoning. The CHP has decried the arrests as politically driven, pointing to İmamoğlu’s rising popularity and 2028 presidential candidacy. Supporters have staged rallies across Türkiye, while the government insists the evidence reveals entrenched corruption.

Prosecutors allege İmamoğlu led a widespread scheme, supported by MASAK reports, surveillance, and testimony from Ertan Yıldız, a cooperating IBB director. Yıldız claimed most tenders under İmamoğlu favored firms linked to Beylikdüzü, his former district, including a $200 million earthmoving contract tied to fugitive businessman Murat Gülibrahimoğlu, allegedly İmamoğlu’s secret partner. Yıldız also accused İmamoğlu of pocketing $27 million in bribes from hotel owners for ignoring Bosporus zoning violations, with funds allegedly managed through senior official Fatih Keleş.

The probe is expanding, with more contracts and suspects under scrutiny. Prosecutors claim İmamoğlu warned associates about surveillance eight months before the raids, hinting at possible obstruction. The case has sparked intense debate, raising questions of legality, politics, and accountability in Türkiye’s largest city.

The investigation continues as Istanbul braces for further developments in this high-stakes corruption scandal. (ILKHA)