The 70th and 71st hearings in the case against former Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, who faces a prison sentence ranging from 828 years and two months to 2,352 years for 142 alleged acts, were held Wednesday, with the court hearing the defenses of several defendants who are not in custody.

The trial concerns 414 defendants, including 53 in pretrial detention, in the case involving the alleged “Imamoğlu profit-driven criminal organization.”

Alleged bribery admissions by defendants drew attention during the hearings. Bayram Yıldırım, the former driver of Ertan Yıldız, head of the IBB Council’s Affiliates and Subsidiaries Commission, told the court about what he described as the inner workings of the alleged network.

“I found many tablets and phones in a box that Ertan Yıldız gave me,” Yıldırım said.

The corruption investigation into Imamoğlu, who was removed from his post as IBB mayor and arrested, was completed with the preparation of a 3,809-page indictment on Nov. 11, 2025.

The indictment alleges that Imamoğlu, identified as the “leader of the organization,” committed several offenses, including “establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes,” bribery and money laundering.

Yıldırım, who is not in custody, said he had provided testimony as part of an effective remorse provision, which allows defendants to receive legal benefits in exchange for helping authorities uncover a crime.

“I started working in 2019 as Ertan Yıldız’s official driver. I also handled his household and personal affairs and looked after his family,” Yıldırım said.

“One day, Ertan Yıldız gave me a box. We then went to Bakırköy Municipality. I called Mustafa, the driver of Ibrahim Özkan, and asked him what was inside. The box was slightly open. I looked inside and saw many tablets and phones.”

Yıldırım said Yıldız later promised to help him.

“Ertan Yıldız told me, ‘I will look after your family, hire a lawyer for you and save you.’ The lawyer he sent deceived me by telling me I would be released. I was arrested because I could not tell anyone what I had seen. When I came here, I told the prosecutor, ‘I want to benefit from effective remorse,’ and I told them what I knew,” he said.

During cross-examination, prosecutors asked defendant Bülent Yılmaz whether a previous statement he had given was accurate. The statement said that many of the events organized during Imamoğlu’s 2019 campaign for IBB mayor were carried out by Adem Soytekin, and that promotional materials distributed to the CHP’s election coordination center during the campaign were sent by Soytekin.

“That is correct,” Yılmaz replied. “The bags, tea, sugar and items sent to the provincial headquarters came from somewhere, but I did not know where they came from.”

Uğur Güngör, owner of Muscan İnşaat and a complainant who is not in custody, also testified in the case.

Güngör alleged that Imamoğlu amassed a “very large fortune” while serving as mayor of Beylikdüzü and claimed that Imamoğlu conducted municipal business through bribery in the Beylikdüzü and Büyükçekmece districts.

Güngör alleged that, during Imamoğlu’s tenure as Beylikdüzü mayor, he followed up on business dealings through Fatih Keleş, Adem Soytekin, Mehmet Murat Çalık and Tuncay Yılmaz.

“Adem Soytekin would give him plots of land without zoning approval, then have them rezoned, and the large revenues from these projects would be shared with Ekrem Imamoğlu,” Güngör said.

Güngör rejected allegations that he himself had paid bribes and described an alleged demand involving a construction project in Beylikdüzü in 2015 and 2016.

He said the owners of Gül Inşaat, Ali Gül, Zafer Gül and Osman Gül, sought to convert properties designated as residences into commercial units as part of a construction project.

“They were told that the company owners had to pay a bribe to the municipality for this to be done. They asked me for half of the bribe money. I refused. The bribe was TL 15 million ($311,600),” Güngör said.

He said he later met Zafer Gül and Mehmet Murat Çalık, who was Beylikdüzü’s deputy mayor at the time.

“Çalık demanded TL 15 million from me as a bribe. I refused to pay. Çalık then threatened me, saying, ‘If you get out of here, you will never get back in.’ We had an argument,” Güngör said.

He said Imamoğlu, who was Beylikdüzü mayor at the time, came out of his office next door during the argument and asked what was happening before leaving.

“Ekrem Imamoğlu was following the bribery dealings at the time,” Güngör said.

Güngör said he eventually agreed to provide promissory notes after repeated demands from Zafer Gül and Çalık.

“Zafer Gül took the promissory notes. Later, a man named Davut Akay said the notes were in the possession of Fatih Keleş, who was a CHP council member in Beylikdüzü Municipality at the time, and told us to make the payments to Keleş,” he said.

Güngör said he subsequently made payments to Keleş together with Zafer Gül, Akay and Oğuzhan Güney, who was the lawyer for the project at the time.

“For the remaining promissory notes, we agreed to give 13 apartments,” he said.

Güngör reiterated his allegations concerning Imamoğlu’s business dealings.

“Ali Gül is the owner of Gül İnşaat. They partnered with Ekrem Imamoğlu on the Vera project. Imamoğlu became very wealthy during his tenure as Beylikdüzü mayor. Imamoğlu conducts business through bribery in the Büyükçekmece and Beylikdüzü municipalities,” he said.

Güngör again alleged that İmamoğlu used Keleş, Soytekin, Çalık and Yılmaz to handle business dealings.

“Adem Soytekin would give him plots of land without zoning approval, then have them rezoned, and the large revenues from these projects would be shared with Ekrem Imamoğlu,” he said.

During the hearing, Çalık, another defendant, questioned Güngör. When Güngör attempted to question Çalık in response, the presiding judge intervened.

“The people here are in detention because of your statements. They have the right to ask questions,” the judge told Güngör.

Güngör was also asked by a defense lawyer about his statement that “Fatih Keleş is Ekrem Imamoğlu’s safe.”

Güngör qualified the statement, saying: “The statements here are not based on what I personally witnessed. They are based on things I heard from people around me.”

The hearing was adjourned for one hour.

Türkiye on Thursday welcomed the dissolution of the YPG terrorist group and its integration into Syrian state institutions, saying the development would strengthen Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the principle of “one state, one army.”

The Turkish Defense Ministry said the integration marked an important step toward consolidating stability in neighboring Syria.

“The dissolution of the SDF and its integration into Syrian state institutions is an important development in terms of preserving Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and strengthening the understanding of ‘one state, one army,’” the ministry stressed.

The remarks came in response to reporters’ questions following the ministry’s weekly press briefing, held at the Officers’ Club in the western province of Afyonkarahisar to mark the 104th anniversary of Türkiye’s Great Offensive.

The ministry said Türkiye welcomed the latest developments and would continue supporting efforts to extend the positive momentum across Syria and make stability permanent.

“The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will continue its support for extending the positive momentum achieved in Syria throughout the country, making stability permanent and developing the capacity of the Syrian army, particularly in the fight against terrorism, within the framework of the existing military cooperation agreement,” ministry spokesperson Rear Adm. Zeki Aktürk said.

Monitoring Israeli attacks

The ministry also reiterated its criticism of Israel’s military actions in the region, describing them as a major obstacle to lasting peace and stability.

“Israel’s aggressive stance and expansionist policies in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria continue to stand as the biggest obstacle to lasting peace and stability in the region,” Aktürk noted.

He said the region’s future should be built on international law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states rather than the unilateral use of force, calling on the international community to take “concrete and effective measures” in response to Israeli actions that threaten regional and global peace and stability.

The ministry said it was closely monitoring Israeli attacks on Syria and reiterated its call for them to end immediately.

It also said Türkiye was following statements and reports concerning U.S. initiatives to establish a deconfliction mechanism that would include Syria.

No official request regarding such a mechanism has been submitted to the ministry, it said, adding that any request would be evaluated in coordination with the relevant Turkish authorities.

‘Terror-free Türkiye’ initiative

Turning to Türkiye’s ongoing counterterrorism initiative, the ministry said the Monitoring and Evaluation Board, which includes Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, held its first meeting under the chairpersonship of Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz.

The board discussed procedures for its work and decided to establish four subcommittees, the ministry said.

“The healthy and stable progress of the ‘terror-free Türkiye’ process is important,” the ministry said.

It added that the Defense Ministry would continue working with relevant institutions to verify that terrorist organizations and affiliated structures had ended their presence and surrendered all weapons and ammunition.

Aktürk also stated five PKK terrorists surrendered to Turkish authorities over the past week.

Turkish security forces also apprehended 550 people, including one suspected member of a terrorist group, attempting to cross the country’s borders illegally over the past week, while another 807 people were prevented from crossing.

Since Jan. 1, 9,080 people have been apprehended while attempting to cross Türkiye’s borders illegally, and 47,384 others have been prevented from doing so, according to the ministry.

Security forces also seized 20 kilograms of drugs during search operations along the border in the southeastern province of Hakkari.

U.S. consultancy contract

The ministry also addressed reports about a service contract signed with a U.S.-based consultancy firm.

It said the initiative was part of a joint strategy designed to contribute to developing Türkiye-U.S. relations, strengthen institutional dialogue in defense and security and ensure Türkiye’s positions and priorities were accurately conveyed to relevant counterparts.

The contract was registered transparently and in accordance with the laws of both countries, the ministry stated.

It added that the agreement was not limited to any individual project or platform and said portraying it as being linked solely to a specific defense program did not accurately reflect its scope.

Patriot relocation from Karpathos

On reports concerning a Patriot air defense system on the Greek island of Karpathos, the ministry reiterated Türkiye’s position that the legal status of demilitarized islands is clearly established under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and the 1947 Paris Peace Treaties.

Türkiye maintains that Greece’s militarization of islands with demilitarized status violates its treaty obligations.

The ministry welcomed a reported decision to relocate Patriot air defense systems from Karpathos to Crete, describing it as a positive step toward reversing what Ankara considers an unlawful practice.

“Türkiye will continue to support all constructive steps that contribute to strengthening peace and stability in our region and comply with international law and obligations arising from treaties,” it said.

The ministry also responded to reports that Greece could establish a drone base on Rhodes, warning that such a move would violate the island’s demilitarized status.

“The demilitarized status of Rhodes is clearly and bindingly regulated by international treaties,” the ministry said.

A potential drone base on Rhodes would “constitute a violation of the island’s demilitarized status” and harm peace and stability in the Aegean as well as good-neighborly relations, the ministry noted.

“Türkiye will continue to resolutely protect its rights and interests arising from international treaties and take the necessary measures in this regard,” it added.

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The dissolution of the YPG terrorist group and the integration of its armed elements into the Syrian military marks a major strategic achievement for Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan while also dealing a setback to Israel, Israeli newspaper Maariv said in an analysis on Thursday.

The report said the decision followed pressure from the Syrian military, Türkiye’s support for Damascus and diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing armed groups under the authority of the Syrian state.

Maariv described the development as a significant success for Erdoğan in shaping the region’s future, arguing that Ankara was moving closer to achieving one of its longstanding security objectives in Syria without becoming involved in a large-scale direct conflict.

Türkiye considers the YPG as an extension of the PKK, which is designated a terrorist group by Türkiye, the U.S. and the European Union.

The integration of YPG elements into the Syrian military is also expected to reshape the balance of power in northern Syria and strengthen the central government in Damascus, the Israeli newspaper said.

Maariv characterized the development as a “strategic slap” for Israel, citing the YPG’s previous ties with the United States and contacts with Israel.

The newspaper said the development could further complicate Israel’s strategic position in the region as Türkiye expands its influence in Syria.

Israel in multiple fronts

Maariv also highlighted mounting pressure on the Israeli military as it operates across several fronts.

The newspaper said Israeli forces were facing demands ranging from Gaza and Lebanon to the occupied West Bank, raising concerns over limited personnel and military resources.

It said high-intensity operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon were expected to continue in the coming months, while two Israeli divisions were operating in Gaza.

In the occupied West Bank, the military was seeking an additional regular brigade amid concerns over another escalation, according to the report.

The analysis also criticized the Israeli government over what it described as a lack of political and strategic planning, saying the military was increasingly being tasked with addressing challenges for which political solutions had not been developed.

Military strength and personnel, the newspaper warned, were not unlimited.

On the other hand, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş underlined Wednesday that Israel was concerned about Türkiye’s efforts to establish an environment of peace and cooperation across the region.

“Israel fears only Türkiye. It fears the atmosphere of peace and brotherhood that Türkiye will create in its region, and we have to establish this,” Kurtulmuş said.

Kurtulmuş linked the dissolution of the YPG to Türkiye’s broader “terror-free Türkiye” initiative, arguing that the process could have implications beyond the country’s borders.

“We said that a terror-free Türkiye means a terror-free region. The first proof of this is when the YPG officially said, ‘We are no longer a terrorist organization,’” he stated.

Kurtulmuş said an environment of reconciliation in Türkiye could eventually spread throughout the region, including Syria and Iraq.

He also accused Israel of pursuing expansionist policies and said lasting peace in Syria, alongside stronger relations between Türkiye and Iraq, could facilitate greater cooperation among the region’s peoples.

“The people of this region were divided by borders, but they could not divide their hearts,” the parliament speaker noted.

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Senior Turkish officials on Wednesday marked the 955th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert (Malazgirt), highlighting national unity, Türkiye’s historical legacy and the country’s future goals.

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said the victory, which paved the way for Turkish settlement in Anatolia, continues to inspire Türkiye nearly a millennium later.

“With the strength we draw from Manzikert, we are moving toward our ‘Century of Türkiye’ goals, shoulder to shoulder, for all ages, with the same faith and determination,” Yılmaz noted in a social media post.

Yılmaz commemorated Seljuk Sultan Alp Arslan, his army and those who lost their lives in battle, saying the determination that “opened the gates of Anatolia” in 1071 and was later crowned by the conquest of Istanbul continued to sustain the Turkish nation’s unity.

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş also stressed unity in a message commemorating the anniversary, saying Alp Arslan’s determination to make Anatolia a homeland laid the foundations for centuries of coexistence and brotherhood.

“We will not allow anyone to disrupt our brotherhood, unity, solidarity and harmony,” Kurtulmuş said.

Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said Türkiye continued to draw inspiration from the Battle of Manzikert as it pursued its “Century of Türkiye” vision.

“Drawing inspiration from Manzikert and strength from our ancient history and deep-rooted state tradition, we are resolutely advancing toward our Century of Türkiye goal,” Duran stressed.

New Party Chair Özgür Özel separately commemorated both the Battle of Manzikert and the 104th anniversary of the Great Offensive, a decisive campaign during Türkiye’s War of Independence.

Özel paid tribute to Alp Arslan and those who fought at the Battle of Manzikert, while describing the Great Offensive, launched on Aug. 26, 1922, as a declaration that the Turkish nation would never surrender its independence. He also commemorated Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and those who fought in the War of Independence.

Meanwhile, events marking the Manzikert anniversary continued in the eastern province of Muş.

The Gendarmerie Commando Special Public Security Command displayed domestically produced weapons and equipment at the Malazgirt Battlefield National Historical Park.

Visitors were briefed by gendarmerie personnel on the technical features and operational uses of the weapons and equipment on display.

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The U.S.-backed YPG terrorist group announced Tuesday that its so-called autonomous administration and all its military and civilian structures have been dissolved.

Ferhat Abdi Şahin, one of the group’s ringleaders, made the announcement to reporters at the People’s Palace in the Syrian capital.

“Following the agreement reached with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and upon completion of the process of integrating our forces into the brigades of the Syrian army, we announce today, with a great sense of responsibility, that we are dissolving ourselves as an independent military force,” said Şahin.

The YPG was established in 2015 with U.S. backing as the Syrian branch of the PKK terrorist group. Washington partnered with the group in its campaign against Daesh despite longstanding objections from NATO ally Türkiye over its ties to the PKK.

The PKK, which has waged a decades-long campaign against Türkiye, is designated a terrorist group by Türkiye, the U.S. and the European Union.

The group became Washington’s principal partner on the ground against Daesh and eventually gained control of large parts of northern and northeastern Syria, including areas containing much of the country’s oil resources.

The Syrian administration and the YPG terror group reached a new agreement Jan. 29 that provided for a cease-fire and the group’s gradual integration into state institutions.

“Circumstances have changed today, and the country has entered a new phase characterized by peace and participation,” Şahin said.

The political and military landscape shifted dramatically following the fall of ousted longtime ruler Bashar Assad in late 2024 and the establishment of new authorities in Damascus under the leadership of al-Sharaa.

Clashes between government forces and the YPG in January resulted in Damascus regaining significant territory, including areas in Raqqa and Deir el-Zour. The two sides subsequently reached an agreement to integrate military, security and civilian institutions in the northeast into state structures.

Al-Sharaa also met on Tuesday with Şahin to discuss steps for its integration into state institutions.

The meeting addressed “a number of issues related to integration within Syrian state institutions and the steps for the next phase to strengthen the state’s presence and support security and stability,” Şahin added.

Last month, Syrian officials said the country had integrated about 9,000 former members of the YPG forces into its national security institutions as part of a broader effort to unify the country’s armed forces, while appointing a former senior YPG official as a deputy defense minister.

The integration marked one of the most significant steps in the implementation of an agreement between Damascus and the YPG aimed at dissolving the terrorist group into Syria’s state institutions.

Roughly 5,000 former YPG fighters have joined the Syrian Defense Ministry, while another 4,000 have been incorporated into the Interior Ministry, officials said. Non-Syrian foreign fighters previously affiliated with the YPG have been removed from the country as part of the restructuring process.

Syrian authorities describe the process as a gradual, reciprocal approach sometimes referred to as a “zipper model,” under which security, administrative and political measures advance simultaneously to build confidence between the two sides.

AK Party welcomes statement

Ankara has repeatedly maintained that eliminating parallel armed structures and preserving Syria’s territorial integrity are essential for lasting stability in the neighboring country.

The YPG’s dissolution represents a significant step in Damascus’ efforts to restore central authority throughout Syria after more than a decade of fragmentation and conflict.

Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson Ömer Çelik on Wednesday welcomed the dissolution of the terrorist group, saying the move marked an important threshold in strengthening Syria’s internal unity and reaffirming Ankara’s support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We have always supported the protection of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Çelik emphasized in a statement on social media. “Syria must move toward the future as one and whole.”

Çelik said President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had waged a major struggle to protect Syrians from terrorism and what he described as “imperialist attacks” during some of the most difficult periods of the Syrian conflict.

“Years and history are witnesses to this noble struggle,” he said.

Çelik said the dissolution of the YPG represented a significant development for Syria’s internal cohesion.

He also praised steps taken by the administration of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa toward what he described as inclusive governance, saying they were helping the country move beyond years of conflict and toward a more stable future.

Çelik linked developments in Syria to Ankara’s broader “terror-free Türkiye” and “terror-free region” objectives, saying the initiatives represented a determination to thwart attempts by outside actors to divide and exploit Türkiye’s neighboring region for their own interests.

He said the policy also offered prospects for a more stable future for Kurdish communities across the region.

Çelik added that Türkiye would continue to support steps aimed at strengthening the stability, security and prosperity of Syria and neighboring countries as part of what he called Erdoğan’s “politics of brotherhood.”

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for seeking to perpetuate bloodshed and instability across the region, declaring that Türkiye would not allow his “bloody scenarios” to be carried out.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting in Ahlat, Bitlis, Erdoğan said Türkiye’s efforts to promote regional peace and help neighboring countries regain stability were disrupting plans built around conflict and violence.

“We see what kind of bloody scenarios are being drawn up for our region. God willing, we will not allow them to be put into practice,” Erdoğan said.

Türkiye would not abandon its neighbors merely because its policies disturbed what Erdoğan described as “murder networks with the blood of innocents on their hands.”

“We will not stop supporting our neighbors in getting back on their feet just because murder networks with the blood of innocents on their hands are disturbed by it,” he said.

Erdoğan vowed that Ankara would continue pursuing regional peace regardless of opposition or concerns from those whose plans were being disrupted.

“We will not step back from our struggle to establish peace in our region simply because some do not want it, some are concerned or some people’s plans are being disrupted,” he said.

The president said Türkiye’s pursuit of peace was increasingly frustrating those seeking to keep the region trapped in violence.

“As Türkiye seeks peace for everyone in the region, along with its own citizens, the plans of murder networks built on bloodshed and conflict are being disrupted,” Erdoğan said.

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