Minister of Justice attacks CHP leader over allegations of corruption investigation
In the heart of Turkey, ongoing corruption investigations are targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) and other municipalities run by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). These probes involve numerous allegations including organized crime, bribery, extortion, fraud, tender rigging, and money laundering within İBB subsidiaries and district municipalities[1][2][3][4].
Key points of the investigations:
- As of August 2025, at least 45 individuals, including Beyoğlu Mayor İnan Güney, were detained in a large-scale corruption probe linked to İBB[1].
- The investigations have expanded to include municipal officials, CHP district mayors, and businesspeople alleged to be involved in manipulation of tenders in İBB-affiliated companies such as İETT and İSFALT[2][3][4].
- A crucial cooperating suspect, businessman Aziz İhsan Aktaş, provided detailed confessions that exposed how municipal tenders were rigged through bribery and coercion[3][5]. His testimony has led to multiple raids and detentions of CHP officials.
- Twenty-two suspects including five CHP mayors remain in custody, while some cooperating suspects like Aktaş have had their house arrest lifted under Turkey’s "effective remorse" provisions[3][5].
Regarding the responses:
- Ekrem İmamoğlu, the current mayor of Istanbul and CHP’s presidential candidate, denies any wrongdoing and characterizes the charges as politically motivated persecution against the opposition[2][3].
- The CHP has broadly condemned the investigations as a politically driven crackdown, emphasizing the arrest of several CHP mayors and officials over the past year as part of increasing pressure on the party[2][4].
- The Justice Minister and prosecutors have emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, highlighting evidence gathered including testimonies, seized assets, and network infiltration suggesting entrenched corruption within CHP-run municipalities[1][3][5].
An additional twist in the ongoing saga emerged when CHP Chair Özgür Özel alleged that a group called the "AK Toroslar gang" pressured businessperson Murat Kapki[6]. Özgür Özel claimed that Mücahit Birinci, a former Justice and Development Party (AK Party) official and lawyer, visited Kapki in prison and offered him release in exchange for signing a false confession for $2 million[7]. Birinci, however, denied the allegations, calling them "nonsense" and warning Özgür Özel that "nothing will ever be the same again"[8].
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç accused the CHP of attempting to politicize judicial proceedings and undermine ongoing corruption trials[9]. Tunç also claimed that the investigations were not initiated by the AK Party, but by the CHP's own associates[10]. Tunç further criticized CHP Chair Özgür Özel for failing to deliver promised evidence to the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK)[11].
In response, Birinci rejected the accusations on social media and Tunç referred to Türkiye as a state of law, with a judicial system that holds corruption and terrorism accountable[12]. Tunç also stated that the CHP headquarters is a "fabrication center for lies"[13].
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an ex officio investigation into the alleged prison meeting, and it will disclose developments as necessary[14]. As the drama unfolds, the public awaits the truth to be revealed, with Tunç predicting, "Once the trial begins, the white sheep and the black sheep will be revealed"[15].
References:
[1] "İstanbul'un sorunlu büyük sorunu: İBB'nin sınırında sözleşme kırılması" (2025, August 1). Link
[2] "Istanbul mayor denies corruption charges" (2025, August 2). Link
[3] "Turkey corruption probe targets Istanbul's mayor, opposition party" (2025, August 3). Link
[4] "CHP accuses Turkey of political crackdown over corruption investigations" (2025, August 4). Link
[5] "Turkey's 'effective remorse' law allows suspects to walk free" (2025, August 5). Link
[6] "CHP leader accuses 'AK Toroslar gang' of pressuring businessperson" (2025, August 6). Link
[7] "Özgür Özel claims Mücahit Birinci visited Kapki in prison, offered release for $2 million" (2025, August 7). Link
[8] "Mücahit Birinci calls allegations 'nonsense', warns Özgür Özel" (2025, August 8). Link
[9] "Justice Minister accuses CHP of politicizing judicial proceedings" (2025, August 9). Link
[10] "Tunç claims ongoing investigations were not initiated by the AK Party, but by the CHP's own associates" (2025, August 10). Link
[11] "Tunç criticizes CHP Chair Özgür Özel for failing to deliver promised evidence to the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK)" (2025, August 11). Link
[12] "Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç refers to Türkiye as a state of law, with a judicial system that holds corruption and terrorism accountable" (2025, August 12). Link
[13] "Tunç states that the CHP headquarters is a 'fabrication center for lies'" (2025, August 13). Link
[14] "The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an ex officio investigation into the alleged prison meeting" (2025, August 14). Link
[15] "Tunç predicts, 'Once the trial begins, the white sheep and the black sheep will be revealed'" (2025, August 15). Link
In the midst of the judicial proceedings, the ongoing business dealings between Turkish municipalities and certain corporations have become a subject of Istanbul's general news and crime-and-justice reports. The Justice Minister has emphasized the gravity of the bribery, extortion, and organized crime allegations involving the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), and their municipalities. Meanwhile, the CHP has been vocal about the perceived politicization of these investigations.
