According to the statement made by the foundation, the Zero Waste Festival on June 4-7 and the Zero Waste Forum on June 5-7 will be held at Istanbul Ataturk Airport during the week.

Details of all events and programs in the 39 districts of the megacity can be accessed through the website https://istanbulsifiratikhaftasi.org/, which was launched for Istanbul Zero Waste Week.

Continuing its work with the vision of Emine Erdoğan, Founder of the Zero Waste Movement, President of the United Nations (UN) Zero Waste High-level Personalities Advisory Board and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, the Zero Waste Foundation is hosting a comprehensive environmental mobilization aiming to spread the culture of sustainable living to all segments of society, within the scope of its efforts towards the goal of making Istanbul the “Zero Waste Capital”.

Istanbul Zero Waste Week aims to make environmental awareness an integral part of daily life with hundreds of events to be held between 1-7 June.

The program is considered not only as an event calendar consisting of environmental awareness activities, but also as an important step in the long-term vision of Istanbul becoming an exemplary city on a global scale in the fields of zero waste, resource efficiency and sustainable development.

A MOVEMENT EXTENDING FROM ISTANBUL TO THE WORLD

While the Zero Waste Movement, which was launched in Türkiye in 2017 under the leadership of Emine Erdoğan, has today turned into an environmental model that has received international recognition, the declaration of March 30 as International Zero Waste Day by the United Nations and the establishment of the Zero Waste High-Level Personalities Advisory Board are among the most important indicators of Türkiye’s leading role in this field.

Istanbul Zero Waste Week is seen as one of the strongest reflections of this global transformation on a city scale. With the activities to be carried out throughout the week, it is aimed to bring millions of Istanbulites together around a common awareness about environmental sustainability.

The organization, held for the first time this year, attracted great interest in 39 districts of Istanbul. While more than 1,500 project applications were received with the contributions of public institutions, local governments, universities, non-governmental organizations and private sector representatives, a wide range of activities were planned, from environmental training to recycling practices, from awareness campaigns to field studies.

The aim is to encourage permanent behavioral changes in reducing waste generation, disseminating conscious consumption habits and using resources more efficiently through events to be held all over the city.

The long-term goals of the Zero Waste Foundation include making Istanbul the center of international zero waste efforts. In this context, it was stated that it is aimed for many international organizations to open offices in the city in the coming years, and the first concrete step was taken with the establishment of the global center of the UN Human Settlements Program for zero waste studies in Istanbul.

This development is expected to strengthen Istanbul’s goal of becoming an international center of attraction in the fields of environmental diplomacy and sustainable urbanism.

Zero Waste Forum, the central event of Istanbul Zero Waste Week, will be held between 5-7 June. While registrations are made for the forum from 183 countries of the world, thousands of participants are expected to come together in Istanbul.

At the forum, where more than 120 ministers, more than 200 mayors, representatives of international organizations, academics and environmental experts from around the world will participate, circular economy, resource efficiency, climate-friendly production models and the future of zero waste will be discussed.

The organization stands out as one of the important platforms that increases Türkiye’s international visibility in the field of environment and sustainability.

THE THEME OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY WILL BE FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

The Zero Waste Festival, which will be held within the scope of Istanbul Zero Waste Week and organized in cooperation with the Zero Waste Foundation and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, will bring environmental awareness to the masses. This year’s main theme of the festival, which will be held at Atatürk Airport between 4-7 June, has been determined as “Energy Efficiency”.

The festival will include many events, from sustainable living practices to circular economy examples, from virtual reality experiences to children’s workshops.

Thanks to carbon and water footprint measurement areas, a zero waste museum, training stands and applied workshops, visitors will have the opportunity to directly experience their environmental impacts.

The festival will not be limited to environmentally themed events, but aims to make environmental awareness a part of cultural life with concerts, art events and social activities.

Within the scope of the Zero Waste Festival, Rafet El Roman, Sinan Akçıl, Emre Aydın, Poizi, Sefo, Buray and Ceza will meet with citizens in the festival area.

Production workshops from recycled materials, interactive games and competitions will be organized in special areas prepared for children and young people, while families will also be given the opportunity to experience sustainable living practices.

In addition, methods to prevent food waste will be shared in practical activities to be held in the “Zero Waste Kitchen” area, and examples of sustainable gastronomy will be presented to visitors.

Zero Waste Foundation, which continues its work with the vision and auspices of First Lady Erdoğan, points out that environmental sustainability is no longer only a matter of environmental policies, but has also become a fundamental necessity in terms of economic development, social welfare and the quality of life of future generations.

Istanbul Zero Waste Week is expected to be an important milestone that will contribute to the ownership of this transformation by all segments of society.

“OUR BIGGEST MOTIVATION IS TO MAKE ISTANBUL THE CAPITAL OF ZERO WASTE”

Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High Level Climate Champion, whose views were included in the statement, stated that the Zero Waste Foundation is the representative of a deep-rooted vision established in 2023 under the auspices and leadership of Emine Erdoğan and said, “Our main goal is to further popularize the ‘zero waste’ understanding that our esteemed lady started years ago and to build a sensitive society by ensuring the adoption of this awareness. In line with this lofty goal, we were established.” “We have been implementing many important activities since that day.” he said.

Ağırbaş stated that the biggest motivation that will integrate all international goals with the spirit of Istanbul is to make Istanbul the “capital of zero waste” and said:

“We wholeheartedly believe that this unique city, which is the cradle of civilizations, will lead the world in environmental awareness and prevention of waste and will be a strong role model. We will culminate this excitement with the Istanbul Zero Waste Week, covering June 1-7, with the strong support of our Istanbul Governor, Mr. Davut Gül. We have initiated a huge event that will raise zero waste awareness throughout Istanbul, in many different sectors, from health to sports, from energy to industry, by working hand in hand with our stakeholders. This great organization has two fundamentals for us. “The first is to make Istanbul, the heart of our civilization, the ‘capital of zero waste’ that the whole world will envy. Second, with our cooperation here, we register the name ‘Istanbul Zero Waste Week’ as a new brand on a global scale and light the torch of a strong movement that will spread from Istanbul to the whole world.”

50 SUSPECTS WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, a simultaneous operation was carried out today in 6 provinces centered in Izmir, against a total of 62 suspicious persons, including municipal managers, employees and company owners. 50 suspects were detained during the operations. It was learned that 3 suspects were in prison, 4 suspects were fugitives abroad and 5 suspects were fugitives in the country. Efforts to capture suspects and seize criminal elements continue.

2 TERM MAYOR WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

The duties of those detained during the operations are as follows: Buca Mayor Görkem Duman, former mayor Erhan Kılıç, 3 deputy mayors, 1 district political party chairman (previous period), 6 directors and deputy directors (zoning, planning, social services, affiliates, support services, etc.), 4 unit chiefs and technical officers, 6 technical personnel working in zoning, license, progress payment and building occupancy units,
3 senior managers and accounting officers in municipal subsidiaries, 5 municipal office personnel and administrative employees, 6 personnel working in municipal subsidiaries, 6 personnel working in women and family services and social units, 2 data preparation and control operators / technical support personnel, 2 special clerks and assistants affiliated with the mayor’s office, 1 sociologist, 1 zero waste and climate manager, 16 company owners (contractor / business people), 4 architects / technical consultants and 2 non-public employees (hospital personnel and retired former employees).

The hearing held by the Istanbul 40th High Criminal Court in the hall opposite the Marmara Closed Penal Institution was attended by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was suspended from his duties after their arrest, Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık, Beyoğlu Mayor İnan Güney, former CHP MP Aykut Erdoğdu, Advisor to the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Chairman of the Board of Directors of MEDYA AŞ Murat Ongun, Chairman of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Sports Club. Some detained defendants, including Fatih Keleş and İmamoğlu’s lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan, attended.

Some CHP deputies and relatives of the detained defendants attended the hearing, where some undetained defendants and lawyers also attended.

The hearing continues with the defense of detained defendant businessman Vedat Şahin.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

In the indictment prepared by the Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Civil Inspection Board Presidency is listed as the “informer”, the Ministries of Treasury and Finance, Internal Affairs, Energy and Natural Resources, Agriculture and Forestry, the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Şişli Municipality are listed as the “damaged by the crime”.

In the indictment, there are a total of 407 people as “defendants”, including 16 “complainants”, 7 fugitives, and 5 “complainants-defendants”.

In the indictment, which describes the activities of the criminal organization from its establishment in 2014 until today, it is evaluated that “the public damage caused by the benefit obtained from the 143 acts subject to the indictment is approximately 160 billion lira and 24 million dollars in total as of the crime dates (excluding the current value) and 95 immovable properties in Istanbul and throughout the country in real estate (excluding the assets obtained by the ringleaders and managers of the organization from the proceeds of crime).”

In the organizational chart in the indictment, it is stated that the detained defendant Ekrem İmamoğlu is the “organization ringleader”, the detained defendants Murat Ongun, Fatih Keleş and Adem Soytekin, the undetained defendant Ertan Yıldız, the detained defendant Hüseyin Gün for another crime and the fugitive defendant Murat Gülibrahimoğlu are the “organization manager”.

In the diagram, it is stated that 10 organization members are directly affiliated with Ekrem İmamoğlu, and it is shown that 77 of the organization members are affiliated with Fatih Keleş, 35 with Murat Ongun, 8 with Ertan Yıldız, 7 with Hüseyin Gün, 6 with Murat Gülibrahimoğlu and 6 with Adem Soytekin.

In the indictment, Ekrem İmamoğlu was accused of “establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime”, “recording personal data”, “seizing and disseminating personal data”, “concealing evidence of crime”, “obstructing communication”, “damaging public property”, “bribery”, “publicly disseminating misleading information”, “extortion”, “fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations”, “laundering property values resulting from crime”, “tendering”. It is requested that he be sentenced to imprisonment for a total of 849 years to 2,430 years and 6 months for the crimes of “sedition”, “deliberate pollution of the environment”, “opposition to the Tax Procedure Law”, “opposition to the Forest Law” and “opposition to the Mining Law”.

In the indictment, Keleş was accused of “bribery” 48 times, “taking a bribe”, “giving a bribe”, 55 times “tender rigging”, 39 times “fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations”, 8 times “laundering proceeds of crime”, “opposition to the Mining Law”, “opposition to the Forest Law”, “causing environmental pollution”, “opposition to the Tax Procedure Law”, It is requested that he be sentenced to imprisonment from 556 years and 8 months to 1542 years and 8 months for the crimes of “extortion”, “destroying, concealing or altering criminal evidence” and “obstruction of communication”.

In the indictment, which demands that Ongun be sentenced to imprisonment from 287 years and 6 months to 779 years and 6 months for the crimes of “bribery”, 53 times “tender rigging”, 33 times “fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations”, “giving personal data to others, disseminating or seizing”, “publicly disseminating misleading information” and “laundering proceeds of crime”, Yıldız is accused of “bribery”, “tender bidding”. A prison sentence of 86 to 251 years is foreseen for the crimes of “sedition” and “fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations”.

In the indictment, it was requested that Soytekin be sentenced to imprisonment from 67 to 194 years for the crimes of “bribery”, “chain bribery”, “extortion” and “laundering of proceeds of crime”, while Gülibrahimoğlu was accused of “fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations”, “laundering of proceeds of crime”, “forgery of documents”, “opposition to the Mining Law”, “opposition to the Forest Law”, “environment He is asked to be sentenced to imprisonment from 19 years and 6 months to 51 years for the crimes of “causing pollution” and “violating the Tax Procedure Law”.

In the indictment demanding Gün’s imprisonment from 20 to 40 years for the crimes of “establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime” and “giving personal data to someone else, disseminating or seizing”, it is stated that these defendants, who are the managers of the organization, should be punished separately as perpetrators for all crimes committed within the framework of the activities of their affiliated structures of the organization.

In the indictment, it is requested that the provisions of “effective remorse” be applied to the defendants Adem Soytekin, Hüseyin Gün and Ertan Yıldız, the organization’s managers, who gave information about the crimes committed within the framework of the structure and activities of the organization after they were caught.

In the indictment demanding a prison sentence of 35 to 91 years in total for Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, who was suspended from his duty after his arrest, on charges of “taking bribes” 5 times, “extortion” twice, “illegal recording of personal data”, “illegal giving or obtaining of personal data” and “being a member of an organization established for the purpose of committing a crime”, Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat, who was suspended from his duty after his arrest, was requested. It is requested that Çalık be sentenced to a total of 30 to 88 years in prison for 7 counts of “taking bribes” and “being a member of an organization established for the purpose of committing crimes”.

COMBINED FILE

The indictment prepared against 7 defendants, including Beyoğlu Mayor İnan Güney, who was suspended from his duty after his arrest, was combined with this case.

In the indictment, detained defendants İnan Güney, İsmail Akkaya, Seyhan Özcan and undetained defendants Veysel Eren Güven, Sabriye Akkaya, Mehmet Akif Bulut and Deniz Göleli are asked to be sentenced to imprisonment from 9 years and 8 months to 31 years and 8 months each for the crimes of “aiding an organization established for the purpose of committing crimes without being a member” and “fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations”.

There are 68 detained defendants in the case, with the release of 42 defendants, including those in the file that was merged during the trial process.

At the ‘Lebbeytum Award Ceremony’ organized by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Mecca, the Presidency of Religious Affairs was awarded the first prize in the ‘Most Successful Hajj Organization’ category. President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş made a statement.

WE ARE GREATLY PROUD:
We were very happy and proud that our Presidency of Religious Affairs was deemed worthy of first place in the ‘Most Successful Hajj Organization’ category at the 2026 Hajj Organizations Award Ceremony. In addition, our Hajj and Umrah Services General Manager Hüseyin Demirhan was deemed worthy of the ‘Most Successful Communication and Coordination Award’, which made our joy even more meaningful.

This success achieved; It is the result of the devoted efforts of all our teammates who strive to serve our pilgrims in the best possible way, the sincere prayers of our pilgrims and the support of our beloved nation. On this occasion, I would like to sincerely thank and congratulate all our staff who contributed to these valuable achievements. I pray to our Almighty Lord to make our pilgrims’ prayers honorable and acceptable. Thank God, we can achieve such good results in serving our pilgrims. Hopefully, from now on, we will continue to work with the same excitement, responsibility and dedication and serve our nation and pilgrims in the best way possible.

Successful operations carried out by the police and MİT under the coordination of the prosecutor’s office rendered the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO) unable to act. Members of the organization, who fear being exposed and caught, have become hesitant to come together, even among themselves.

As a result of this contraction, it was revealed that the organization, which shifted its communication traffic entirely to the US-based encrypted messaging application Signal, used this platform to establish a secret “marriage network”. Technical examinations of digital materials proved that the marriage system in question was actively operated in January and February 2025.

CONFESSIONAL INTERVIEWS
Organization members; In case they are single, divorced or their spouse dies, they start the process by applying to the organization’s “marriage officers”. Those responsible give priority to candidates who have a final sentence, have been expelled, or are sympathetic to the organization.

In the system, which works with the reference method to bypass the security network, candidates share the FETO files opened against them, the sentences they have received and their current judicial status with each other as a “reference” during their first interview. In the Signal data, it was determined that a spouse was being sought for former Staff Major Hakan Alaçam, who was tried for “making a false statement” in the case of the mine explosion in Çukurca in 2009, in which 7 soldiers were martyred.

It was determined that Bünyamin Altınsoy, the expelled soldier in charge of the marriage, conveyed to Alaçam the information of a woman who had been in prison for 4 years and was a member of a well-known family within the organization. In the women’s structure, Regional Student Responsible (BTM) Neşe İspir was seen to be active. İspir’s correspondence about dismissed First Lieutenant Ufuk Çampaşalı was recorded. It was reflected in the messages that Çampaşalı, who was asked about the judicial process against him, said, “It has been the 20th trial, there is still no decision.” In another section, it was determined that 5 different candidates were recommended to Petty Officer Halil İbrahim Murat, who was dismissed by decree, and one of the candidates was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison. It was determined that Mustafa Yılmaz, who is affiliated with Kaynak Holding, was also tried to get married.

Mehmet Barlas, who stood out with his intellectual struggle against the tutelage centers throughout his career, was from time to time removed from the newspapers he worked for, became the target of various circles, but despite all the pressure, he continued to express his thoughts openly. A funeral ceremony was held at the Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha Mosque in Istanbul for Barlas, who gained a unique place in the Turkish press with his support for democracy and national will and died at the age of 81. Many figures from the state, politics, media and business world, especially President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, attended the ceremony. Barlas, whose coffin was supported by President Erdoğan, was sent off to his final journey at Yeniköy Cemetery with prayers after the funeral prayer.

A LIFE DEDICATED TO THE TRUTH
Mehmet Barlas, who was born in Ankara in 1942 as a child of a family from Gaziantep, graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Law. Barlas, who started journalism at a young age, served as domestic and foreign news consultant at TRT. In 1968, he won the first prize in the review category in the competition organized by the Turkish Journalists Association. Barlas, who worked as a columnist in Türkiye’s leading newspapers for many years, also took part in television screens. Barlas, who once presented the ATV Main News Bulletin, was followed by large audiences with his comments on politics, democracy and social issues throughout his journalism career.

HE ALSO LEFT HIS MARK WITH HIS BOOKS
In addition to his journalism, Mehmet Barlas also contributed to Turkish intellectual life with the works he wrote. His books titled “The Period of Coups and Quarrels”, “Turgut Özal’s Memories”, “Negotiations on Turkey”, “Latife Hanım’s Secrets and Turkish Society” and “Yesterday is Yesterday Mehmet Barlas” met with the readers.

HE NEVER GIVE UP WHAT HE KNOWS IS RIGHT
In an interview with SABAH, his wife Canan Barlas stated that the late journalist was excluded from time to time because of his ideas, but he never backed down. “He was excluded many times because of his ideas, but he never deviated from what he thought was right. He was a versatile intellectual. He followed the agenda of both Türkiye and the world closely. He fought an important fight for democracy, especially with the stance he put forward during the February 28 period. He received heavy criticism for his support to President Erdoğan, but he never gave up. The strong relationship between Erdoğan and my wife is strong.” “There was a spirit of solidarity,” he said.