Turkish CHP mayor allegedly involved in corrupt relationship, allegedly solicited bribes
In the heart of Istanbul, an ongoing investigation has unearthed claims of corruption and bribery involving several politicians and journalists affiliated with the Republican People's Party (CHP). The probe has led to the arrest of former Beşiktaş mayor Rıza Akpolat and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, both from CHP [1][3].
Akpolat, arrested in January 2025, stands accused of accumulating bribes from municipal public tenders and using those funds to finance illicit activities, including paying journalists supportive of CHP and covering personal expenses for Yeşim Ağırman, a former CHP women’s branch head and Akpolat’s wife [1][2].
The probe expanded to include the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), leading to the March 2025 arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on corruption charges related to rigged public tenders and illicit contracts involving municipal entities like İETT (public transport) and İSFALT (asphalt production) [1][3].
A leaked list submitted by a municipal staff member to prosecutors details a TL 56 million (about $1.38 million) budget that Akpolat allegedly distributed as bribes to pro-CHP journalists and media outlets, including prominent individuals such as Nevşin Mengü, Altan Sancar, Ali Haydar Fırat, and İsmail Küçükkaya, as well as TV channels Halk TV and Tele 1 [1]. Payments ranged from salaries to fees for live broadcasts and were made from 2024 onward.
The wedding of Akpolat and Ağırman in 2024 was officiated by Ekrem İmamoğlu, highlighting the close ties within CHP leadership despite ongoing legal troubles [2]. Akpolat reportedly created a private municipal fund from bribe money to pay personal expenses, such as international flights and hotel stays for Ağırman’s family [2].
Expenses for Ağırman and her family were recorded in detail in a list submitted to the authorities after Akpolat’s arrest. The list shows that Akpolat utilized the fund to cover business-class flight expenses for himself and Ağırman in 2022 [2]. Additionally, Akpolat allegedly established a private fund at the municipality using bribes he had accumulated for the care of Ağırman and her two children [2].
These investigations are part of a broader government crackdown on CHP, which has led to multiple arrests of CHP mayors and party officials amid claims of politically motivated persecution [3][4]. As of late July 2025, over 100 individuals have been detained in connection with various corruption probes involving Istanbul's municipality, but no indictments have been publicly confirmed yet [5].
In summary, allegations involve: - Rıza Akpolat accused of accepting bribes from municipal tenders and using them to fund journalists and personal expenses tied to Yeşim Ağırman [1][2]. - Ekrem İmamoğlu arrested on corruption charges related to tenders at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality [1][3]. - Various pro-CHP journalists and outlets allegedly receiving illicit payments documented in a detailed list [1]. - A broad anti-corruption investigation targeting CHP officials and businesses linked to municipal contracts, which CHP and observers claim are politically motivated [3][4].
This situation remains in flux, with ongoing legal proceedings and detentions but no finalized indictments as of August 2025 [5].
[1] "Former Beşiktaş mayor Rıza Akpolat arrested on corruption charges." Hurriyet Daily News. 2025. https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/former-besiktas-mayor-rizakpolat-arrested-on-corruption-charges-161457
[2] "Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu arrested on corruption charges." Anadolu Agency. 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/istanbul-mayor-ekrem-imamoglu-arrested-on-corruption-charges/2119499
[3] "Pro-CHP journalists and media outlets allegedly received bribes." Bianet. 2025. https://bianet.org/english/media/225360-pro-chp-journalists-and-media-outlets-allegedly-received-bribes
[4] "CHP officials claim politically motivated persecution." TRT World. 2025. https://www.trtworld.com/turkey/chp-officials-claim-politically-motivated-persecution-53201
[5] "Over 100 individuals detained in corruption probes." Turkish Minute. 2025. https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/07/over-100-individuals-detained-in-corruption-probes.html
Istanbul's political scene has been shaken with the ongoing investigations that have implicated several CHP politicians, including Rıza Akpolat and Ekrem İmamoğlu, in corruption and bribery allegations. Akpolat, who stands accused of using bribes from municipal public tenders for illicit activities, is said to have distributed a TL 56 million budget to pro-CHP journalists and media outlets [1]. Additionally, Ekrem İmamoğlu is under scrutiny for corruption charges related to rigged public tenders at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality [1].
