<>
Police launched an operation against the İzmit Municipality on July 20, 2026, leading to the detention of İzmit Mayor Fatma Kaplan Hürriyet and her husband, Murat Hürriyet. According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the arrests are part of a broader corruption investigation involving 28 individuals currently in custody, with a total of 31 suspects facing allegations of establishing an organization to commit crimes, bribery, and bid-rigging.
Scope of the Corruption Investigation
The operation, coordinated by the Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau, involved simultaneous raids across İzmit, Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, and Kırıkkale. Prosecutors stated that the investigation was built upon witness statements, including those from individuals seeking reduced sentences through “effective remorse” provisions, as well as secret witness testimonies.
Authorities allege that the municipality’s procurement processes were compromised. Investigations focus on claims that winning bidders and those submitting unsuccessful offers shared familial ties with municipal officials. Furthermore, officials allege that the municipality collected payments from contractors under the guise of commissions, and that the mayor’s husband exercised direct influence over personnel recruitment, staffing decisions, and the management of tender processes.
Did You Know?
The investigation spanned five different provinces—Antalya, Kırıkkale, İzmit, Istanbul, and Ankara—reflecting the scope of the coordinated police operation conducted on the morning of July 20, 2026.
Detained Individuals and Legal Status
Following the initial raids, 28 people have been detained. In addition to Mayor Fatma Kaplan Hürriyet and Murat Hürriyet, the list of detained individuals includes Ömer Akın, Gökhan Ercan, Leyla Kıran, Seyhan Özcan, Hamit İlker Ulusoy, Nusret Ömürhan Yılmaz, Figan Çetin, Burak Güreşen, Engin Ertaç, Mehmet Ersoylu, Hakan Oral, İrfan Can, Hüseyin Demirkır, Özlem Kırma Dalkıç, Yusuf Kırıcı, Demet Işıldak, Zekiye Köstekli Oral, Adem Ok, Kenan Yılmaz, Yasin Ok, Çetin Sarıca, Ramazan Kırıcı, Yüksel Kırıcı, Cemil Çelik, Nihat Önal, and Selin Evren Özoğlu.
The use of “effective remorse” statements suggests that investigators have successfully secured inside information, which may prove critical in determining the depth of the alleged organizational structure within the municipal administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary charges against the suspects?
The 31 suspects are under investigation for “establishing an organization to commit crimes,” “bribery,” and “rigging of tenders.”
How did authorities gather evidence for this investigation?
According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation relies on suspect statements, testimony from individuals utilizing “effective remorse” laws, and declarations from secret witnesses.
What specific activities is the mayor’s husband accused of?
Prosecutors allege that Murat Hürriyet directly interfered with municipal tender processes, staff hiring, and the determination of personnel cadres.
How will these judicial proceedings impact the ongoing administrative functions of the İzmit Municipality?
=== END ARTICLE ===
Related reading