Istanbul municipality investigation: 12 suspects sent to court

Twelve people detained in a new investigation into Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality tenders have been sent to court after completing procedures at the police station.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating allegations that some tenders handled by the municipality’s Purchasing Department were rigged and caused public losses. The claims appear in a preliminary review report prepared by inspectors from the Interior Ministry and in an expert report. They include a purchase of materials for the Istanbul mayor’s official residence.

Authorities launched simultaneous operations against 14 people on Sept. 3. The Financial Crimes Branch of the Istanbul police detained 12 of them. Mahmut Berk Şahin was found to be abroad, while Onur Gülin, who was also wanted for detention, was reported to be in prison.

Those detained include Purchasing Department head Mustafa Sökmen, branch manager Ali Toy, former Financial Affairs Department head Neslihan Vural, police management official Gökhan Fırtına, purchasing branch manager Mehmet Yücetürk and former purchasing manager Talha Özyurt. The group also includes department chief Abdülkerim Hazırbaba, deputy revenue branch manager Saliha Ülkü Aydoğan, Vedat Taşdelen, Mustafa Delipoyraz, Volkan Karagöz and Ekrem Baki.

After medical checks, all 12 were referred to the courthouse.