Üsküdar Municipality issues statement on detention operation

Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş was detained early Wednesday morning along with five other individuals, including two municipal managers, as part of an investigation by the Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The operation is reportedly related to allegations of bribery, embezzlement, and forming/managing a criminal organization.

This detention marks the latest in a series of municipal operations that began with the arrest of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer on October 30, 2024. Numerous mayors, municipal bureaucrats, and prominent figures, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, have been detained in connection with ongoing investigations.

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Misjudgments and verdicts made before the investigation process is completed can mislead public conscience. We urge the public not to give credence to interpretations or comments made before the investigation and legal processes are concluded.

The Üsküdar Municipality released a statement addressing the detentions. It emphasized the principle of the presumption of innocence, stating that "misjudgments and verdicts made before the investigation process is completed can mislead public conscience." The municipality urged the public not to give credence to interpretations or comments made before the investigation and legal processes are concluded.

"We are closely and carefully following the detention process of our Mayor, Ms. Sinem Dedetaş, our Deputy Mayor, and our Chief of Staff," the statement read. It also affirmed Dedetaş's commitment to transparent, participatory, and social municipalism since taking office. The municipality expressed its desire to continue working under her vision and to see her and her colleagues return soon.

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We are closely and carefully following the detention process of our Mayor, Ms. Sinem Dedetaş, our Deputy Mayor, and our Chief of Staff.