Number of Detained CHP Mayors in Istanbul Rises to 16; Elected Officials Imprisoned

A wave of investigations and arrests targeting opposition mayors in Istanbul has escalated, with the number of detained mayors from the Republican People's Party (CHP) now reaching 16. This figure exceeds the count of CHP mayors who are currently serving in the city.

The latest detention, that of Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş, marks a significant development in ongoing probes conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office across various cases. With Dedetaş's arrest, 16 out of the 26 district municipalities won by the CHP in the March 31, 2024 local elections now have mayors under arrest.

Among those arrested and whose detention continues are prominent figures like Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, alongside mayors from Beşiktaş, Beykoz, Avcılar, Gaziosmanpaşa, Şişli, Beylikdüzü, Bayrampaşa, Büyükçekmece, Şile, Ataşehir, Adalar, Silivri, and now Üsküdar.

Adding to the complexity, some mayors who were previously detained have not been reinstated to their duties even after their release. Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, arrested in October 2024 and January 2025, was released eight months ago but has not returned to his post. Similarly, Beyoğlu Mayor İnan Güney, arrested in August 2025 and released about a month ago, has also not resumed his mayoral responsibilities.

The arrest of Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş also increases the number of female CHP mayors arrested in Istanbul to three, joining Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin and İzmit Mayor Fatma Kaplan Hürriyet. Dedetaş was temporarily suspended from her duties by the Ministry of Interior following her arrest on charges including organizing a criminal group, bribery, and extortion.

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Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş, due to her arrest by the Istanbul Anadolu 4th Criminal Court of Peace with the decision dated 31.07.2026 and inquiry number 2026/994 within the scope of the investigation carried out for the crimes of 'establishing an organization to commit crimes, bribery, and extortion,' has been suspended from duty by the Ministry of Interior as a temporary measure in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of Law No. 5393 on Municipalities.