A statement was made by the Kahramanmaraş Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the allegations and news in the virtual media that İsa Aras Mersinli, who carried out an armed attack at Ayser Çalık Secondary School on April 15, did not die but was kidnapped. In the statement, it was stated that the allegations were unfounded and said:

“After the heinous attack that took place in our city on April 15, 2026, it was observed that some social media platforms and news sites shared misleading information about the fact that the perpetrator of the incident did not die and was kidnapped from the scene with an armored vehicle while injured, and there was a need to make a press release in order to inform the public correctly. Following the incident in question; as a result of the crime scene investigation carried out by our Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, it was determined that the perpetrator was missing at the scene and the classical autopsy of the perpetrator was carried out by law enforcement officers. As a result of the autopsy procedures carried out between 15 April 2026 at 21:45 and 16 April 2026 at 00:30 with the participation of the Public Prosecutor on Duty, the burial license was issued and the autopsy procedures were completed.

“THE CLAIMS DO NOT REFLECT THE TRUTH”

In this context; The news spread that the person is not dead does not reflect the truth, and it is also known that the victim, the complainant and their representatives, who are parties to the file, have the authority to examine the photographs and footage of the dead examination and autopsy procedures in the file. In addition, judicial investigations have been initiated in accordance with Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code against people who spread misleading information that will create anxiety, fear or panic among the public. “It is important not to rely on false news and disinformation posts and to follow the official statements made by public institutions and organizations regarding the incident.”

At the hearing held by the Istanbul 40th High Criminal Court in the hall opposite the Marmara Closed Penal Institution, the detained defendant Bakırköy Deputy Mayor and IMM Council Member Ali Rıza Akyüz made his defense.

The public prosecutor said, “There are allegations of bribery from Capacity’s managers, its lawyer and its architect. There are statements. There is a voice recording. Your name is not mentioned in the recording, but there are statements that support the narratives about you. It is said that you demanded bribes. There are bribe figures. What will you say?” To the question, Akyüz said, “The numbers do not match. Some say 3, some say 5. It is all fiction.” He replied:

Defendant Akyüz asked the prosecutor: “What was the basis for determining the fine of 197 million liras for the shopping centre?” “I’m not imposing the fine, but I looked. They calculated it by taking the net construction area.” He replied:

The arrested defendant Ekrem İmamoğlu, who took the floor, asked Akyüz, “You are from the CHP. You are involved in politics, you are a municipal council member. We have some contacts with you. Are you specially qualified? Have I, as Deputy Mayor of Bakırköy, given you any direct or indirect instructions or pressure on any legitimate or illegitimate issue?” posed the question.

Defendant Akyüz said, “It definitely didn’t happen.” he said.

At the hearing, Akyüz’s lawyers also made their defense.

THE FUNCTIONING OF IMM BOĞAZİÇİ ZONING DIRECTORATE WAS EXPLAINED

Elçin Karaoğlu, one of the detained defendants, said that he transferred to Beylikdüzü Municipality after working in Esenler and Avcılar municipalities.

Stating that he transferred to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality on September 1, 2020, Karaoğlu argued that the municipality was not present at the meetings where decisions were made and did not come anywhere with hesitation.

Stating that he was called “from the Beylikdüzü team” in the indictment, but that he had been living in Beylikdüzü since his marriage, Karaoğlu explained the functioning of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Boğaziçi Zoning Directorate.

Karaoğlu said, “The work done in the public sector cannot be considered an organizational activity. There are more than 100 managers in IMM. I am one of them.” he declared.

Arguing that there was no deficiency, negligence or mistake in the operations of the directorate, Karaoğlu said, “It is claimed that I am a member of the organization. I did not receive instructions from anyone. I am not a member of the organization, I received the instructions from the relevant law. What is the structure called an organization? Frankly, I do not understand that here either.” he said.

The hearing was postponed until tomorrow to continue taking the defendant’s defense.

Breaking news: The Cabinet Meeting held at the Presidential Complex under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has ended. Erdoğan made statements after the critical meeting where important issues were discussed.

Highlights from President Erdoğan’s speech:

“OUR JUDICIAL, SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE UNITS STARTED THEIR WORK”

I wish God’s mercy to our teacher Ayla and our students who were martyred. As a nation, we all sincerely share the sadness of our families. I wish God Almighty patience to all our families in the face of this extremely difficult test.

There is no life threat to our injured people in the attack in Siverek.

My condolences to Kahramanmaraş.

The attacks affected not only Kahramanmaraş and Siverek but all 86 million people. It plunged us all into grief and sorrow. The fire that fell on Kahramanmaraş fell to the heart of 80 other provinces. We immediately sent our 4 ministers to Kahramanmaraş. While emergency interventions were being made to our wounded, our judiciary, police and intelligence units started their work. By following the digital footprints of both attackers, it was quickly revealed what they were influenced by.

While 8 people were arrested regarding the attack in Siverek, the father of the attacker in Maraş, who owned the weapons he used in his actions, was arrested. We have also taken the necessary measures against accounts that spread false and harmful content on social media and digital communication platforms.

“THE PERPETRATORS WANT TO TERRORISE THE SOCIETY”

We are faced with a situation that is unfamiliar to us as a nation. The perpetrators want to terrorize society.

In what conscience would it be possible to engage in intention reading before our children’s funerals have even taken place? The first thing that comes to the mind of some actors of the main opposition is to make irresponsible statements. Provoking the nation over such pain is irresponsible, to say the least.

“SOCIAL MEDIA HAS TURNED INTO A SEWER”

I once again request my citizens not to compromise on coolness. Do not fall into the tension trap…

Social media has become a sewer. Young people are under the bad influence of digitalization

‘Crisis management and classroom intervention’ training will be given to teachers and school administrators.

29 suspects were caught and detained in the second wave operation organized within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, which included “Bribery, Corruption, Extortion, Tender Rigging” crimes.

SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION IN 3 PROVINCES; 29 DETENTION

29 suspects were detained in simultaneous operations held in Istanbul, Uşak and Izmir. Among those detained, Uşakspor President Özhan Özgöbek and CHP Uşak Provincial Chairman Celalettin Çoban, Fahreddin Altundal, Geylani Altundal, Ferhat Cucu, Umut Demir, Tolga Ergül, Sefa Taşcı, Kadir Cantürk, İsmet Yıldız, Rahmi Altundal, Cumali Altundal, Mustafa Arslan, Mehmet Arslan, Rasim Köse, Gürcan Demir, Ahmet Arslan, Ali Arı, Ahmet Yıldız, Akın Cantürk, Ulaş Küçükakın, Kemalettin Doğan, Adem Tuğrul Kaya, Cemal Ak, Ali Rıza Demir, Ceren Yeşildağ, Vedat Bayram, Mehmet Bayram, Göksu Bayram.

Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office made a statement regarding the second operation against Uşak Municipality. In the statement, “Bribery”, “Extortion” regarding the allegations of rigging the tenders held by the municipality, demanding bribes from tradesmen for some irregular works and transactions, collecting large amounts of money under the name of aid/donation to Uşak Sports, bringing money in cash to the mayor’s office under the name of donations, senior managers in the municipality spending money by going to entertainment venues at night and paying these expenses from the municipal budget through the food bill under the name of representation/hosting expenses. and “Tender Rigging” crimes; In line with the investigations, witness statements, sincere confessions of the suspects who testified within the scope of effective regret, digital examination reports, and the contents of the report prepared by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board, a simultaneous operation was carried out in the provinces of Uşak, Izmir and Istanbul, where the suspects were located, on 20/04/2026, and a total of 27 suspects were caught and detained within the scope of the operation.
“The investigation continues in a multifaceted and meticulous manner, and it is respectfully announced to the public.”

13 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN THE FIRST OPERATION

A simultaneous operation was carried out in Uşak, Kocaeli and Ankara on March 27, within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against the Uşak Municipality for the crimes of “bribery”, “extortion” and “tender rigging”. In the first operation, 13 suspects, including Uşak Mayor Özkan Yalım and his deputy Halil Arslan, the municipality’s Accounting and Finance Manager Hüseyin Yaman, Private Secretary Hasan Doğukan Kurnaz, office driver Murat Altınkaya and municipal staff Cihan Aras and SA, with whom Özkan Yalım was in a romantic relationship, were detained and arrested. Özkan Yalım was suspended from duty

The Directorate of Communications informed about the actions taken against the accounts and their owners who published images of the incident despite the broadcast ban regarding the school attacks in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş or shared posts that could create fear, anxiety and panic among the public.

“During the investigations carried out against 661 account holders who shared posts about school attacks, 68 of them were arrested.”

In the statement made by the Presidency, it was announced that 68 people were arrested and the following statements were made: “Investigations regarding the school attacks carried out in the provinces of Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş are being carried out in a versatile and meticulous manner by the Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa/Siverek Chief Public Prosecutor’s Offices. The process is being carried out in full coordination with the relevant institutions, in line with the sensitivities and instructions of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, regarding the safety of our children and the peace of our nation. Despite the publication ban, the incident is continuing.” It has been determined that there are many accounts and posts that publish images of the media or share content that may cause fear, anxiety and panic among the public, publicly spread misleading information to discredit the statements of official institutions, praise the crime and the criminal and publicly encourage them to commit crimes. Within the scope of the studies carried out against these accounts, a total of 661 account holders were launched in 72 provincial Chief Public Prosecutor’s Offices. 68 of them were arrested, 127 of them received judicial control measures and 5 of them were subjected to Child Protection. “Law measures have been implemented, 117 of them have been released and handed over to their families, arrest/identification efforts are continuing for 95 of them. In addition, 249 suspects are in custody and access to 1,104 social media accounts has been blocked.”

“389 account users targeting 275 schools were identified and taken into custody, and their proceedings are continuing by the judicial authorities.”

In the statement, it was stated that a study was carried out on the accounts that shared the news that there would be new attacks, and said, “Among these accounts, many account holders have been identified, especially targeting the peace and security of our nation, creating anxiety by pointing out schools as addresses and betting that an attack will be carried out. 389 account users targeting 275 schools were identified and detained, and their proceedings are continuing by the judicial authorities. The issue is before 171 Chief Public Prosecutor’s Offices in 81 provinces, especially Ankara, Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Offices.” “The process is being carried out in coordination with our Ministry of Justice, our Ministry of Internal Affairs and our Ministry of National Education.”

Following the magnitude 6 earthquakes that occurred in Balıkesir 6 months ago, the work initiated to heal the wounds in the region continues at full speed. The earthquake houses rising in the region resemble a holiday village. The houses with lake views are expected to be delivered to their beneficiaries in the coming months. Following the 6.1 and 6.0 magnitude earthquakes that occurred in Sındırgı district on 10 August and 27 October, a mobilization was launched in the region. Temporary earthquake containers, which were quickly shipped to the earthquake zone, began to be replaced by modern houses. In addition to the earthquake residences under construction in the district center, the houses built by TOKİ in the Gölcük region are as good as a 5-star holiday village. The final stage has been reached in the earthquake residences built on a solid ground and on a hill overlooking the lake view.

GOVERNOR USTAOĞLU MADE AN INSPECTION
Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu went to the region and inspected it. Receiving information about the latest status of the construction, Ustaoğlu said, “We are in the construction site of Village Houses, which are under construction in Gölcük Neighborhood by the Mass Housing Administration (TOKİ) for the citizens affected by the earthquakes in the district. When our work here is completed, our earthquake-affected citizens will have modern and safe houses.” It was learned that the residences will be completed and delivered in the coming months.