AK Party Istanbul Provincial Chairman Abdullah Özdemir introduced the new organizational work for living spaces that have become housing estates in the “Every Site is an Organization” program. AK Party Istanbul deputies, district heads, mayors and organization members attended the program held at the Provincial Directorate. Speaking in the program, Provincial Mayor Özdemir stated that Istanbul is not only a physically growing city and drew attention to the social transformation in city life. Özdemir said, “Today, Istanbul has also become the center of a new urban sociology.”

THE NEED FOR NEIGHBORHOOD CULTURE
Stating that the neighborhood culture has been replaced by safe but distant living spaces today, Özdemir stated that they were not insensitive to the change and said, “The ‘Every Site is an Organization’ work was born precisely from this need.” Stating that the AK Party has adopted an understanding of politics that establishes direct contact with citizens since its establishment, Özdemir said, “Our work on Every Site One Organization is a new generation organizational reflex that accurately reads the changing city life of Istanbul and aims to transform the social distance caused by modern urbanization into a strong social bond. Today, we are establishing a strong field network in Istanbul, touching every point of the city with our neighborhood patrons, street volunteers and now with our site representatives. On the path we set out by saying ‘Istanbul with Every Neighbourhood, Every Story’; “We are building a new contact model in line with Istanbul’s changing rhythm of life,” he said.

Breaking news: Istanbul Police Intelligence Branch Police Officers; He made important findings about the Armed Terrorist Organization DAESH. The clear identities of the people who carry out activities on behalf of the Armed Terrorist Organization DAESH, organize so-called classes in their own illegal associations under the so-called leadership, and provide so-called training to children under the age of 18 in line with the ideology of the terrorist organization have been identified.

In addition, some members of the terrorist organization detained in prisons due to their connections with the Armed Terrorist Organization DAESH; It was determined that they collected money by making radical statements in order to provide logistical support to the Armed Terrorist Organization DAESH.

Members of the Armed Terrorist Organization DAESH, whose identities were determined one by one; they carried out secret work to gain base for the terrorist organization; It was also determined that they sold books/magazines in order to cover expenses and to make propaganda for the Armed Terrorist Organization DAESH.

RIFLES AND PROHIBITED PUBLICATIONS WERE FOUND

A simultaneous operation was carried out by the Anti-Terrorism Branch Police of the Istanbul Police at addresses determined in three different provinces based in Istanbul. 110 suspects who were found to be carrying out activities on behalf of the Armed Terrorist Organization DAESH were caught and detained.

In the detailed searches carried out at the raided addresses; Four rifles, 90 rifle cartridges, many banned publications and documents with organizational content, as well as digital materials with organizational content were seized.

The seized evidence was examined. The moments of the operation were captured on police cameras. The detained suspects were brought to the Istanbul Provincial Police Department for questioning and legal proceedings.

First Lady Erdoğan shared a post on her social media account about the Presidential Children’s Orchestra and Choir, which will give a concert tomorrow on the occasion of May 19, Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

In her post, First Lady Erdoğan stated that the most valuable treasure of a nation is children who grow up with art and said:

The most valuable treasure of a nation is its children who grow up with art.

I follow with great pride and excitement the journey of the Presidential Children’s Orchestra and Choir, which started in 2024 and grows stronger day by day.

Standing out with his musical talent and love of art,… pic.twitter.com/lT8dqkp1h9

— Emine Erdoğan (@EmineErdogan) May 18, 2026

“I follow with great pride and excitement the journey of the Presidential Children’s Orchestra and Choir, which started in 2024 and grows stronger day by day. This valuable community of our specially talented children, who stand out with their musical talent and love of art, is one of the most beautiful reflections of determination, dedication and passion. I wholeheartedly congratulate our precious children who carry our traditional music to the future. I hope this meaningful effort, which rises note by note, will be permanent and bring a bright future to our children.” I hope so.”

First Lady Erdoğan’s post also included a video explaining the establishment, activities and goals of the Presidential Children’s Orchestra and Choir.

In the video, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, “Türkiye’s Century will hopefully be the century of our children, too.” statements were included.

The procedures at the police station for 25 suspects who were detained within the scope of the investigation initiated by the Smuggling and Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau, under the coordination of the Eskişehir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, on the charges of “qualified embezzlement by chain”, “forgery of documents”, “opposition to the Tax Procedure Law No. 213”, “laundering of assets arising from crime” and “abuse of office” upon notices and complaints, were completed.

Among them are deputy mayors SY and B.Ç. and Tepebaşı Mayor Ahmet Ataç’s private secretary Ö.E. were brought to the courthouse.

Police teams took extensive security measures in front of the courthouse during the transfer of the suspects. Following the prosecutor’s interrogations, 25 suspects were referred to the criminal judgeship of peace on duty.

Among the suspects, Deputy Mayor SY, Chief of Staff Ö.E., Ö.E. during the operation. DG and CT, CAA, EC, FBA, FT, M.Ç, OM, Ö.E, SU, Ş.Y, TG and TMY, who were among the administrators working in the municipality, were arrested.

It was decided to release 10 suspects, including Deputy Mayor B.Ç., under judicial control measures.

It was learned that within the scope of the operation, many invoices related to events and food organizations organized by Tepebaşı Municipality Culture, Art and Social Affairs Directorate were examined.

It was claimed that the suspects invoiced the meals prepared and distributed to the needy with the support of donors in the municipality’s soup kitchen, pretending to have procured them from the companies they had an agreement with, and made payments to the companies, and after collecting the invoice fees, the companies gave them to the municipal administrators in cash.

It was claimed that some municipal officials had family relatives open a “signboard” company using this method and received payment for this from the catering companies. It was claimed that the suspects increased the invoiced fees by increasing the number of participants in events organized by the municipality and gained unfair profits by this method.

It was claimed that the municipality officials wrote offers for direct procurement on behalf of the owners of the restaurants and organization companies operating in the city, without their knowledge. It was learned that the owners of the restaurants and organization companies whose information was consulted stated that the signatures on the offers did not belong to them.

Signature samples were taken from company officials and compared with the signatures on the offer documents at the Forensic Medicine Institute, and it was learned that the signatures thought to belong to the companies in the offer letters were fake.

A DETENTION ORDER WAS MADE FOR 60 SUSPECTS

In the operation carried out on May 14 in Eskişehir and Ankara and Adana, detention orders were given for 60 suspects, 33 of whom were from Tepebaşı Municipality.

During the operation, 23 suspects, including Deputy Mayor SY and Mayor Ahmet Ataç’s private secretary Ö.E, were detained.

It was learned that 35 people’s statements were taken at the police station within the scope of the investigation.

During the continuation of the operation, deputy mayor B.Ç. With the capture of one more suspect, the number of detentions increased to 25. During the search carried out by the Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch teams of the Provincial Police Department in the garden of Ö.E’s residence in Keskin District, a room hidden under the ground was detected.

During the search in the room, 9 customs-smuggled “coin (cryptocurrency) mining” devices belonging to Ö.E. were seized.

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated in his message that the War of Independence, which started with Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s arrival in Samsun on May 19, 1919, was the first step of the blessed march to the independent and sovereign Republic of Turkey and one of the most important turning points in history.

Stating that the torch of independence lit a century ago repelled the imperialist occupations with the perseverance and determination of the nation and illuminated the path to independence, Gürlek emphasized that today the goal is “to carry the ideal of a fully independent and strong Turkey to the future together with the TEKNOFEST generation with a free mind and a free conscience.”

“WE WILL CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY TO THE GREAT AND POWERFUL Türkiye WITH DETERMINATION”

Gürlek included the following statements in his message:

“On this meaningful day, I commemorate all the heroes of the War of Independence, our martyrs and veterans, especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with mercy and gratitude. I congratulate our beloved youth and our beloved nation on the 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we will continue our journey towards a great and powerful Türkiye with determination.”

Our national struggle, which started with Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s arrival in Samsun on May 19, 1919, was the first step of our blessed march to the independent and sovereign Republic of Turkey and one of the most important turning points in our history.

That torch of independence lit a century ago… pic.twitter.com/Hi0PHb9N5D

— Akın Gürlek (@abakingurlek) May 18, 2026

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that Türkiye has a significant influence in conflict zones and said, “It is extremely important for Germany to be in close consultation with Turkey on these issues. Germany attaches importance to the expansion of strategic relations between Turkey and the EU. If Turkey wants to become an EU member, Germany will be a reliable partner.”

Drawing attention to the far-reaching consequences of the war in Iran and the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, Wadephul said, “Today, many people are suffering in many parts of the world. The consequences are getting worse every day. Europe is ready to contribute to ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz. Together with the countries of the region, we will determine how to protect our security, economic and energy interests regarding this conflict. I am in very close contact with the countries of the region on this issue.”

Wadephul thanked Türkiye for its efforts to resolve the crises in the Iranian context. “We all agree that Iran should no longer pose a threat to its neighbors in the future. Therefore, Iran should not be allowed to have nuclear weapons. Iran should end its extensive missile program and policy of provocation in the region and make the Strait of Hormuz free and open to the passage of ships again,” Wadephul said.

“WE ARE FOR A TWO-STATE SOLUTION LIKE Türkiye”

Emphasizing that Turkey and Germany have the same concerns regarding Gaza, Wadephul said, “We are following different paths at some points, which is not a problem, but our goal is the same. We support the two-state solution as a solution to the problem between Israel and the Palestinians. We are also concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and we think more should be done there.”

Wadephul said, “People in the Gaza Strip are suffering. They need to have access to humanitarian supplies, including the supply of medicine. Opportunities must be created to send more humanitarian aid supplies to the Gaza Strip, and this must be done by road. We must do this right now. Although we have to manage many crises at the same time, we must not take our eyes off the Gaza Strip and the situation of the suffering people.”

While harshly criticizing Israel’s intervention in the Global Sumud Flotilla, Wadephul said, “At the same time, I must say that we recommend that actions such as the Gaza Flotilla be avoided. Because they are dangerous for the participants and so far, none of these ships have actually reached the Gaza Strip and aid supplies have not arrived. Therefore, these dangers are too great for us and we avoid them. However, this does not prevent us from agreeing that humanitarian aid should reach.”

“WE ARE GRATEFUL TO TURKEY FOR ITS RUSSIA-UKRAINE NEGOTIATION EFFORTS”

Noting that the biggest threat to Europe’s security is Russia’s war against Ukraine, Wadephul said, “Turkey has repeatedly stated that it is ready to be a mediator between Ukraine and Russia on this issue. Meetings were held in Istanbul and Turkey had previously played an active role in the negotiations and the grain agreement. We are very grateful for this.”

“We can only approach the end of this terrible war when Russia is finally ready to negotiate directly with Ukraine. Europeans have already begun to take a constructive and active role. We are ready, but Russia needs to be ready to negotiate seriously. It will be in the interest of the Russian people, who are suffering more and more from the consequences of the war, and the Russian economy, which is rapidly collapsing, to end this war,” Wadephul said.

Referring to the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara, Wadephul said, “Turkey impressively demonstrates that it assumes responsibility in these tense environments. The NATO Summit in Ankara in July puts Türkiye in a key position to further strengthen the alliance.”