Turkish authorities detained at least 44 individuals in coordinated raids across six cities on Friday, as part of the fourth wave of an expansive corruption investigation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), including senior aides to the suspended mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued arrest warrants for 49 suspects, focusing on alleged financial irregularities within key municipal subsidiaries: Istanbul Environmental Management Industry and Trade Inc. (İSTAÇ), Istanbul Housing Development Plan Industry and Trade Inc. (KİPTAŞ), and the municipality’s Road Maintenance Department.

The dawn raids, conducted by the Istanbul Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit in Istanbul, Izmir, Trabzon, Antalya, Tunceli, and Kocaeli, resulted in the detention of high-profile municipal officials, including Kadriye Kasapoglu, special secretary to suspended Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, and Mustafa Akin, his security director. Other notable detainees include Deputy Secretary General Gurkan Alpay, KIPTAS Board Chairman Ali Kurt, ISTAC Board Chairman Ziya Gokmen Togay, Head of Headmen Affairs Department Yavuz Saltik, Ibrahim Bulbullu, and Nezahat Kurt.

The suspects face a range of serious charges, including leading and participating in a criminal organization, extortion, bribery, qualified fraud, illegally obtaining personal data, and bid rigging. The investigation, which previously led to the detention, arrest, and suspension of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, continues to probe alleged misconduct within the IBB and its affiliates.

The latest wave of detentions has intensified scrutiny of the municipality, with law enforcement officials continuing efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects. The probe, which has already sparked significant political controversy, remains a focal point of public and legal attention in Türkiye. (ILKHA)