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Police detain 32 Istanbul municipal officials linked to corruption

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Turkish authorities have issued 47 arrest warrants for municipal officials and staff across Istanbul linked to a corruption case that has seen the city’s mayor, Ekrem imamoğlu, ousted and jailed, media reported Saturday.

The warrants were based on four separate corruption investigations centered on Istanbul and target mayors of districts like Büyükçekmece, Avcılar and Gaziosmanpaşa.

Three of the suspects are imprisoned and three others are abroad, authorities said.

They confirmed 32 of the suspects have been detained so far while police continue pursuing nine others still at large.

The detentions are part of the investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Imamoğlu.

Imamoğlu, a popular figure in the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was arrested in March along with dozens of municipality employees and businesspeople on charges of corruption.

The politician is accused of running a criminal organization that profited from rigged tenders and rampant bribery in exchange for building and zoning permits and awarding tenders.

The CHP has launched rallies and incited riots after Imamoğlu’s arrest. It claims that Imamoğlu’s arrest is politically motivated, as the party had nominated him for the next presidential election. However, the government argues that the CHP’s claim and pro-Imamoğlu rallies are simply an attempt to cover up the mayor’s alleged wrongdoings, which range from rigging public tenders to taking bribes.

Imamoğlu has denied all allegations in his interrogation, but prosecutors point out a wide array of evidence, from financial irregularities to bribes and money laundering activities. Those include reports from MASAK, technical surveillance data and testimonies from dozens of witnesses.

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77 captured in 2 weeks of operations against FETÖ across Türkiye

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Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Tuesday that 77 suspects linked to Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) were detained in two weeks of operations in 26 provinces. Yerlikaya said in a social media post that operations were held in Istanbul, Izmir and Antalya provinces, among other,s and focused on FETÖ suspects involved in FETÖ propaganda on social media.

He said some suspects were involved in financing what they called “charities” that served as front associations to funnel money into the terrorist group. They were deciphered through their contacts with fellow FETÖ members through public payphones, a common communication method between members of the terrorist group.

Yerlikaya added that 56 among captured suspects were remanded in custody while legal proceedings were underway for 21 others.

FETÖ still has backers in army ranks and civil institutions but they managed to disguise their loyalty, as operations and investigations since the July 15, 2016 coup attempt have indicated.

The group faced increased scrutiny following the coup attempt by its military infiltrators that killed 251 people and injured nearly 2,200 others. Tens of thousands of people were detained, arrested or dismissed from public sector jobs following the attempt under a state of emergency.

Hundreds of investigations launched after the attempt sped up the collapse of the group’s far-reaching network in the country.

“With the latest operations, we can see the organization is still attempting to infiltrate various institutions,” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said last month. “We have never been and never will be overcome by languor about this.”

The terrorist group faces operations almost daily as investigators still try to unravel their massive network of infiltrators everywhere, but an unknown number of FETÖ members, mostly high-ranking figures, fled Türkiye when the coup attempt was thwarted.

Erdoğan also hit out at past attempts to “twist” his government’s statements to highlight the threat of FETÖ. “But we were always ultimately proven right,” he said. He assured authorities would root out the remaining FETÖ infiltrators in Turkish institutions, citing the “meticulous work of police and intelligence units.” “Our struggle against FETÖ will triumph because the threat was not limited to the night of July 15,” Erdoğan said. “The enemy never sleeps, and neither do we.”

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Israel’s occupation main obstacle to Palestinian state: Türkiye

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Israel’s decades-long occupation stands as the chief roadblock to the creation of a Palestinian state, Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz said Monday.

“It was a recurring view that the continued occupation is the main obstacle on the way to Palestinian statehood,” Yılmaz said at a high-level conference on the two-state solution at U.N. headquarters in New York.

Praising France for its recent decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, he said, “We sincerely hope that many others will follow suit soon.”

Highlighting feedback from working group submissions, Yılmaz said the group expressed “a strong desire … to contribute to ending the decades-long suffering of the Palestinian people.”

He emphasized that “there were submissions rightfully proposing programs to help build capacity in the Palestinian Authority yet empowering the state of Palestine,” and that “calls for addressing the urgent question of how to end the Israeli occupation” dominated the discussion.

Yılmaz also warned of looming annexation plans, saying: “While the annexation of Palestinian territories by Israel is looming, as called for by the Israeli parliament on July 23, our tools should be proportionally strong and effective.”

Among proposals from participating delegations, Yılmaz said, “some stakeholders made submissions proposing the establishment of mechanisms to enforce international law and international humanitarian law.”

He added that beyond the Gaza Strip’s worsening humanitarian crisis, “illegal settlements, confiscation of land, house demolitions by Israel in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, also call for urgent action.”

Noting that some members of the working group “emphasize that measures, including sanctions, should be imposed against settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory,” he stressed that “Israel may also be subjected to coercive measures, as it is the enabler of the illegal settlements.”

“The acts of Israel to displace, dislocate and expel Palestinian people from their homeland should be prevented without any delay. We cannot envisage the state of Palestine without a Palestinian nation,” he said.

Yılmaz listed eight key priorities identified by the working group: implementation of the two-state solution, recognition and full U.N. membership for Palestine, humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, institutional development, halting settlements and forced displacement, accountability and rule of law, civil society engagement, and security guarantees.

“The submissions send a clear message: The international community must act urgently and decisively to preserve the two-state vision, to uphold legal and humanitarian principles and to move beyond expressions of concern to activating mechanisms of accountability,” he said.​​​​​​​

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Pakistan hails President Erdoğan’s ‘powerful’ stance for Gaza

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Pakistan on Monday praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his “powerful advocacy” on Gaza.

Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said Erdoğan is a “global leader whose actions reflect deep moral commitment.”

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the book “Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – Tiger of the Islamic World” in the capital, Islamabad, Tarar praised Erdoğan’s firm stance on global issues concerning Muslims – especially his outspoken advocacy for Palestine on platforms such as the U.N., the D-8, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Calling Erdoğan a “visionary leader” of the Muslim world, Tarar hailed his “unwavering” commitment to global Muslim causes and the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.

Tracing Erdoğan’s political journey, from his transformative tenure as Istanbul mayor to his leadership of the Justice and Development (AK) Party, he described Erdoğan as a “people’s leader and an effective administrator” whose governance continues to inspire admiration worldwide.

Tarar particularly highlighted Türkiye’s historic bond with Pakistan and Erdoğan’s humanitarian efforts, especially during crises, citing several collaborative projects in Pakistan, including the metro bus project in the city of Lahore.

Saying that ties between the two nations are built on a “history of mutual support and shared humanitarian values,” dating back to the Khilafat Movement, Tarar added: “From natural disasters to moments of national pride, our people have stood together, united in empathy and joy.”

Describing the Pak-Turk relationship as “unbreakable,” Tarar underscored its ideological foundation built on “compassion, resilience, and mutual respect.”

Furqan Hameed, the book’s author, lauded Erdoğan as an “extraordinary” statesman whose leadership has left an indelible mark not only on Türkiye but across the Muslim world.

He described Erdoğan’s political journey as one rooted in public service, welfare-driven governance, and an unwavering commitment to democratic values.

“His struggle and vision are not only in Türkiye but across the Muslim world.”

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Fidan urges fair EU enlargement, reaffirms Türkiye’s membership bid

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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reaffirmed Türkiye’s unwavering commitment to European Union membership during talks in Istanbul with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, stressing the urgent need for a credible and principled enlargement policy based solely on merit and objective criteria.

In a joint statement following the July 25 meeting, the two sides underscored the significance of Türkiye’s candidate status and its constructive role in promoting stability and prosperity in the wider region.

Fidan and Kos agreed to advance a joint agenda on key connectivity issues, including trade, energy, transport and digitalization, particularly within the framework of the EU’s Black Sea strategy and projects linking Europe to Central Asia.

They welcomed the European Commission’s decision to facilitate multiple-entry visas for Turkish citizens as part of efforts to strengthen predictability and mobility, and reiterated the importance of the Visa Liberalization Dialogue.

The two sides also reaffirmed their determination to work toward the better implementation of the existing Customs Union and push forward its modernization, stressing that an updated Customs Union would be mutually beneficial and essential for building a resilient and inclusive economic partnership.

Recognizing the European Investment Bank as a key player in regional development, both sides expressed their intent to boost cooperation with the EIB to support innovation-driven, sustainable projects in Türkiye and neighboring regions.

Fidan and Kos pledged to step up joint efforts for the reconstruction of vital infrastructure and services in Ukraine, while encouraging private sector participation. They also welcomed the Türkiye Investment Platform’s support for channeling investments into strategic sectors, promoting long-term sustainability and enhancing regional inclusivity.

The two also exchanged views on the third round of Russia-Ukraine talks held in Istanbul on July 24 and the Balkan Peace Platform on July 26.

Fidan briefed Kos on the expanded-format informal meetings on Cyprus held in Geneva and New York under the auspices of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, which Kos welcomed.

Kos stressed that dialogue on the rule of law and democratic standards remains an integral part of Türkiye-EU relations, and emphasized Türkiye’s commitment in this regard as a candidate country.

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Istanbul bus authority chair, others detained over corruption

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Police launched a new wave of operations on Tuesday against a criminal network, in which a businessperson is accused of collaborating with mayors and bureaucrats in Istanbul’s municipalities to facilitate corruption.

Twenty-one suspects were detained in operations in Istanbul and the provinces of Antalya, Çanakkale, Trabzon, Bursa and Giresun.

Among them was Irfan Demet, a former military officer who was appointed as head of Istanbul municipality’s transportation authority, IETT, in 2023. Along with Demet, senior officials of IETT, which oversees mass transportation in Türkiye’s most populated city, were detained. Four other suspects remain at large.

The suspects are accused of corruption in tenders launched by IETT and ISFALT, an asphalt production subsidiary of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB). IETT has been under scrutiny since Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu first took office in 2019, due to frequent crashes and malfunctions in public transportation. Critics attribute those incidents to poor maintenance of buses and other mass transit vehicles, as well as mismanagement.

The operations are part of an investigation dating back to 2024 that led to the arrest of Aziz Ihsan Aktaş, a prominent businessperson who was awarded a myriad number of public tenders by municipalities run by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). Aktaş later collaborated with authorities as part of a plea deal and testified against his accomplices in return for commuting his sentencing to house arrest. Along with Aktaş, Rıza Akpolat, mayor of Istanbul’s upscale Beşiktaş district, was arrested earlier this year. A few months later, a separate operation and investigation saw the arrest of Imamoğlu on charges of corruption. The investigation into what prosecutors call a criminal network led by Imamoğlu often overlaps with an investigation into accusations against Aktaş and others.

The testimony of Aktaş eventually led to the detention of five more mayors, including those of Istanbul’s Gaziosmanpaşa, Büyükçekmece and Avcılar districts, all of which are run by the CHP. Aktaş has confessed to bribing mayors in return for lucrative tenders, and in one instance, he was forced to “donate” a vehicle for use in the mayors’ 2024 election campaign.

The CHP claims the arrests are politically motivated, although more than 30 suspects collaborating with authorities in exchange for lenient sentences confessed to widespread corruption in most subsidiaries of the IBB, from bribes paid for building permits to illegal tender privileges for businesspeople in exchange for bribes.

The government defends its investigations, pointing out that the judiciary is independent. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has branded investigations and evidence as efforts to uncover “tentacles of an octopus of corruption in the municipalities.”

Imamoğlu’s case remains the most high-profile among corruption probes. He was among 48 people arrested in March in the first wave of operations against the IBB that led to the detention of 100 suspects. More operations followed, and as of this month, more than 300 suspects were named in the investigation. One hundred and five were among those arrested, while others were released with judicial controls. Suspects who invoke remorse laws, which offer lesser sentences in exchange for information about others involved in criminal activities, have detailed the extent of corruption at the municipality and its subsidiaries.

Burak Korzay, the general manager of ISFALT, was released from prison on Monday morning after pleading “adequate remorse.”

Korzay, who was arrested on June 4, provided testimony on July 10 and July 21 that prosecutors deemed sufficient for his release. His statements reportedly helped advance the case, according to judicial sources.

According to his testimony, which was made public, Korzay alleged a covert “system” of coercion and illicit payments at the heart of the widening corruption probe.

Korzay claimed companies were forced to make off-the-books payments to receive funds already owed to them by the IBB. He directly implicated Ertan Yıldız, chair of IBB’s Subsidiaries and Affiliates Commission, stating that Yıldız demanded TL 30 million ($740,000) from contractor Aktaş, warning, “They won’t pay him unless you send it.”

When Korzay objected, Yıldız allegedly replied, “Is this the first time you’ve heard of the system?” and said that the money was needed for the upcoming election campaign budget of the CHP.

Korzay said he immediately told Aktaş to pursue legal means instead of making the payment, but Aktaş insisted on paying to collect his receivables quickly. The money, according to Korzay, was allegedly dropped off in a bag at a hotel in Kilyos.

He also claimed Aktaş later paid $100,000 to another suspect, Baki Aydöner, who Korzay said had influence over vehicle and waste tenders in various municipalities. Tender procedures, he alleged, were manipulated by senior IBB officials, including Deputy Secretary General Arif Gürkan Alpay and Fatih Keleş.

Korzay stated that the IBB approved projects without actual financial resources, launching tenders to appear active while using them to generate unofficial revenue. Detailed knowledge of tenders was allegedly shared informally, allowing preferred companies to secure lucrative contracts. “The real profit came from ISFALT tenders,” he said.

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Istanbul University revokes Imamoğlu’s master’s degree

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Istanbul University on Monday revoked former mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu’s master’s degree, stripping him of another academic credential.

Imamoğlu, who was arrested last March on charges of corruption, already had his university diploma annulled after it was discovered that he fraudulently transferred himself to Istanbul University.

The Board of the Institute of Social Sciences at Istanbul’s oldest university convened on July 24 to discuss the matter, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported on Monday. Based on the earlier decision to render Imamoğlu’s diploma null and void, the board said that the lack of a diploma also automatically rendered a master’s degree certificate invalid.

The board ruled that Imamoğlu failed to meet the “undergraduate graduation” requirement outlined in İstanbul University’s Student Regulations, published in the Official Gazette on July 6, 1987, due to “deficiencies in the conditions” at the time of enrollment.

The board also ordered the removal of Imamoğlu’s graduation details from the Academic Registration System (AKSIS) and an update to the Higher Education Information System (YÖKSIS). In addition, his thesis will be removed from the Council of Higher Education’s National Thesis Center.

The former mayor’s educational status was completely reverted to high school.

Politicians should complete a university education to run for top office under existing laws. Imamoğlu is declared the future presidential candidate for the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), which seeks to force the government into an early election.

Imamoğlu testified on March 5 after the Chief Prosecutor’s Office in Istanbul launched an investigation into allegations of forgery in his diploma upon tip-offs and a subsequent report by the higher education authority.

Though his lawyers insisted on the authenticity of Imamoğlu’s 1995 diploma, investigators questioned how he could transfer to the prestigious institution from a private university not recognized by the Turkish education authority in the year he was transferred.

The ruling could deprive him of the chance to run for president, who is required to have a university degree, though he can keep his job as mayor.

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