President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan came to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, to attend the Türkiye-Kazakhstan High Level Strategic Cooperation Council Meeting and the Unofficial Summit of the Organization of Turkic States.

Erdoğan’s plane landed at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in Astana.

Erdoğan, who got off the plane with his wife Emine Erdoğan in the Hall of Fame section of the airport, was welcomed by Kazakhstan President Kasım Cömert Tokayev, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Astana Mustafa Kapucu and other relevant people.

Erdoğan and Tokayev went to the Hall of Fame accompanied by a show of love from children holding the Turkish flag and the Kazakhstan flag in their hands.

Erdoğan’s plane was accompanied by warplanes during its landing at the airport. Both helicopters at the airport carried the Turkish flag and the Kazakhstan flag. Erdoğan’s accompanying delegation also came to Kazakhstan.

TARGET IN TRADE VOLUME IS 15 BILLION DOLLARS

In the economic leg of the visit, the 15 billion dollar trade volume target between the two countries and cooperation projects in the field of energy will be among the priority agenda items. In this context, new cooperation protocols and agreements in various fields are expected to be signed. In addition, Erdoğan and Tokayev are expected to attend the Türkiye-Kazakhstan Business Forum, meet with business people from both countries and evaluate investment opportunities.

Welcomed with an official ceremony: President Erdoğan in Kazakhstan | Video

LEADERS SUMMIT IN THE SPIRITUAL CAPITAL OF THE TURKISH WORLD

After completing his contacts in Astana, President Erdoğan will move to Turkestan, the spiritual capital of the Turkish world, and will attend the TDT Unofficial Leaders Summit there.

Erdoğan, who is expected to give important messages regarding regional and global issues, especially current developments in the Middle East, in his speech within the scope of the summit, will also hold bilateral meetings with participating heads of state and government.

According to the statement made by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister Bayraktar met with Prevot and his accompanying delegation at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. Türkiye’s Ambassador to Brussels Görkem Barış Tantekin and Belgium’s Ambassador to Ankara Hendrik Van de Velde also took part in the meeting.

Minister Bayraktar, in his post on the subject on his NSosyal account, stated that during the meeting, they made evaluations on Europe’s energy supply security, new needs arising from global disruptions in the energy transformation process, and cooperation topics that can be developed between Turkey and Belgium.

Noting that they then welcomed representatives of Belgium’s leading companies to the Ministry and shared Türkiye’s energy vision with them, Bayraktar made the following evaluations: “We stated that we have shaped our energy basket with a multi-dimensional understanding that is present in every field from renewable resources to natural gas, from nuclear energy to domestic hydrocarbon production.

A welcome ceremony was held by the citizens for Mayor Burcu Köksal, who joined the AK Party. Mayor Köksal addressed the citizens at the ceremony attended by AK Party organization members and members of parliament.

Burcu Köksal stated the following in her speech:

“WE HAVE STEPPED INTO A NEW ERA”

“As a child of yours who was born on the streets of this city, breathed the air of this city and suffered from the troubles of this country, I would like to express specifically that my only love today, as it was yesterday, is Afyon. In order to provide a stronger service to our Afyonkarahisar, we have stepped into a new era to conclude the issues awaiting solution faster, to realize the investments that our city needs and to respond more strongly to the demands of our fellow citizens.

“I WILL SERVE WITH YOU”

“Hopefully, from now on, we will implement many works, from infrastructure to transportation, especially urban transformation, to projects for our youth and women, with the same determination. We will support every step that grows, develops and strengthens our city. As I said yesterday, I will continue to serve my hometown in the Justice and Development Party to rebuild our Afyonkarahisar under the leadership of our President. I will serve with you in the Justice and Development Party to bring our city to the best place.”

Mayor Köksal then hosted his party’s deputies and the provincial chairman in his office.

HE GIVEN HIS FIRST MESSAGE YESTERDAY

Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal, who was expelled from the Republican People’s Party, joined the AK Party. Burcu Köksal, who wore the badge of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Extended Provincial Presidents Meeting of her party at the AK Party Congress Center, shared her first message from the podium.

Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal in the AK Party: “I will walk on the same path as those who believe in the sanctity of the family!” | Video

“I WILL WALK ON THE SAME PATH WITH THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE HOLINESS OF FAMILY”

Burcu Köksal used the following statements: Dear President, my esteemed deputy chairmen, my dear AK Party friends, under the leadership of our esteemed President, I will serve my hometown in the ranks of the Justice and Development Party in Afyonkarahisar, in order to realize many projects that we promised to our citizens, especially urban transformation, and to build our city. I will walk on the same path with those who believe in the sanctity of the family and those who respect the values ​​of society. I wish good luck to our Afyonkarahisar, our nation, our country and all our citizens.

ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME TO BURCU KÖKSAL

During the program attended by thousands of citizens, a dense crowd formed in the square and slogans of support for Mayor Köksal were chanted. AK Party Afyonkarahisar Deputies İbrahim Yurdunuseven, Ali Özkaya, Hasan Arslan and AK Party Afyonkarahisar Provincial Chairman Turgay Şahin also attended the program held in front of the town hall.

Within the scope of the investigation initiated upon the notice of the Civil Inspection Board of the Ministry of Internal Affairs dated 24 May 2024, Mayor Tanju Özcan and his Deputy Süleyman Can were arrested and sent to prison by the Bolu 2nd Criminal Judgeship of Peace on 2 March. The accusations against the suspects in the 178-page indictment include ‘extortion by force, bribery, qualified fraud and violation of the Law on Foundations and Associations No. 5072’.

STATEMENTS OF MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MEMBER ALİ SARIYILDIZ CHANGED THE COURSE OF THE FILE

Among the most important evidence of the investigation file was the “confessional” statement given by detained Municipal Council Member Ali Sarıyıldız in prison on April 13, 2026. In his statement, Sarıyıldız stated that pressure was put on chain markets to make advertising contracts, donations were systematically requested from tenderers, millions of liras of cash were received by hand, and the organization of sacrifice donations was carried out under the instructions of Mayor Özcan.

CLAIM: “THE MARKETS THAT DID NOT SIGN THE CONTRACT WERE SEALED”

According to the information in the indictment; President Tanju Özcan, Süleyman Can and Bolu Bel A.Ş. The authorities forced the chain markets to make advertising contracts with the municipal subsidiary. It was claimed that some markets signed these contracts, but those who rejected the offer were subjected to non-routine inspections, their workplaces were sealed and they were banned from trading.

ALLEGATION OF MILLION PROFIT IN EXCHANGE FOR LICENSE AND PROGRESS

According to the allegations in the file, 2 million 500 thousand TL was requested from a contractor operating in Bolu in return for the license procedures in the municipality. The complainant, who was pressured by Mayor Özcan by saying “You have to help”, gave 1 million TL in cash to Council Member Sarıyıldız and 1.5 million TL in cheque to BOLSEV A.Ş. It was determined that the money was transferred to their accounts. After the investigations were opened, it was determined that these money were sent back to the complainant with the explanations of “advance and debt refund”. It was claimed that a similar situation occurred in the 100th Year Republic Park tender, and that the contractor was forced to provide 10 million TL “aid” to the BOLSEV Foundation in order to receive progress payments on time, and 2.5 million TL was deducted from the progress payments.

A new operation was carried out within the scope of the investigation carried out against Antalya Metropolitan Municipality by the teams of the Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch Directorate, under the coordination of the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. It was reported that the investigation was carried out regarding irregularities detected in the tenders made by ANSET, the subsidiary company of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality.

THE OPERATION WAS ORGANIZED IN LINE WITH THE REPORTS AND KOM INVESTIGATIONS
Within the scope of the investigation, the deposit report prepared by the Chief Civil Inspector, the expert report and the research conducted by the KOM Branch Directorate teams were evaluated. During the investigations, irregularities were detected in some tenders carried out by ANSET, and in the past days, action was taken against people who were considered to be authorized in these irregularities and suspects who were determined to have money transfers between them for the purpose of laundering the proceeds of crime.
In this context, a simultaneous operation was recently carried out against 35 people, including Muhittin Böcek and Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Secretary General Cansel Tuncer, while 15 of the suspects who were referred to the courthouse after the operation were arrested, a judicial control order was issued for 3 people, and 13 people were released.

24 OF THEM ARE RESPONSIBLE IN TENDER PROCESSES, 1 OF THEM IS A COMPANY OWNER.
In the report prepared by the expert during the continuation of the investigation, it was reported that the people working in the tender approval authority, tender commission, inspection-acceptance and control organization in the tenders in question were identified. In line with the evaluations in the report, action was taken against 24 people who took part in the tender processes, 14 of whom were civil servants in Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and 1 in Keçiören Municipality, and 1 company owner who was determined to have made an irregular bid in the tenders. In this context, a simultaneous operation was carried out today in Antalya, Adana and Ankara provinces against a total of 25 suspects.

In operations, A.Ş., EM, EK, EA, ED, H.Ö., EF, HA, HMA, MK, MK, OA, OY, O.Ş., ON, A.Ö.İ., SD, TK, TTT, TAÖ., VCC, YBA, YT, ZIÇ. and Ç.A. 25 suspects were caught and taken into custody. While it was learned that Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Cultural and Social Affairs Department Head Okan Y. was among those detained, it was reported that the suspects’ procedures at the police station were continuing.

An investigation was launched against CHP member Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested on March 23, 2025, as part of the corruption investigation, for espionage. In the digital materials examined by Hüseyin Gün, who was arrested for espionage, an arrest warrant was issued for Ekrem İmamoğlu, Necati Özkan and TELE1 founder Merdan Yanardağ for cooperating in the 2019 local election campaign and leaking confidential information about voters.

With the indictment prepared within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, imprisonment of İmamoğlu, Hüseyin Gün, Necati Özkan and Merdan Yanardağ was requested from 15 to 20 years each. After the prepared indictment was accepted by the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court, the case continues to be heard in the courtroom opposite the Marmara Closed Penal Institution by the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court. On the 3rd day of the trial, the hearing prosecutor announced his opinion.

IT WAS REQUESTED TO DECIDE TO CONTINUE THEIR DETENTION

In its interim opinion, the prosecutor’s office said; requesting the used and relevant server providers, determining the user IP records that provide access to the IMM extension systems, determining which user accounts were logged in through the said addresses together with the access date and time information, requesting log records accordingly, determining whether the e-mail addresses in the visuals in the indictment are real or not, regarding the IP addresses used and user information belonging to the IMM obtained from the Presidency, MIT and TEM Branch Directorates and the Information Technologies and Communications Authority, Determination of whether the people mentioned in the e-mails were working at IMM on the dates of the crime, determination of user IP records, access time stamps, e-mail session records and security log records accessing the IMM and GOV.TR extension systems, determination of whether there is a connection to the mail server, VPN, active directory, remote access systems or other corporate systems connected to the IBB GOV.TR extension systems through the relevant e-mail accounts, detection of unauthorized data leakage or account takeover by examining the log records, requesting the incoming raw data to be organized and turned into a report, requesting an opinion on whether the information and documents included in the indictment and digital examination reports of the defendants are information that should remain confidential due to their nature in terms of the security of the state or domestic or foreign political benefits, establishing a procedure for hearing witnesses, deciding to reject the requests of the defendants and defendants’ defense counsel as it is understood that they will not contribute to the file, finding concrete evidence showing a strong suspicion of crime in terms of the crime charged against the defendants, the nature of the crime charged, the punishment prescribed by law. It was requested and discussed on behalf of the public that the period of detention is measured according to the lower and upper limits, the period of detention and the amount of punishment prescribed by law for the crime charged, that the evidence collection procedures have not yet been completed, and that the judicial controls will not be sufficient at this stage.