Ekrem İmamoğlu urges faster justice as Istanbul municipal corruption trial reaches 50th day

Turkey’s Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) corruption trial entered its 50th hearing on the Silivri branch of the Marmara Closed Penitentiary. The case involves 68 detained defendants out of a total of 414 accused of a massive alleged misappropriation of public funds estimated at 161 billion lira. Prosecutors allege organized crime activities, bribery, fraud, illegal procurement, data‑theft and environmental violations linked to senior İBB officials, including former public‑relations chief Taner Çetin and Media A.Ş. executives such as Fatoş Pınar Türker.

Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was removed from office before the investigation began, used the hearing to criticize the silence of the Justice Ministry over serious allegations raised by Türker, who described a “bare‑search” in a detention centre and a prosecutor threatening her with her children. İmamoğlu called for an urgent parliamentary‑level inquiry, urged the Justice Ministry to launch a probe, and asked the court panel to consider parole requests for detainees, especially those with health issues and women.

The trial also highlighted the role of Taner Çetin, a former Beylikdüzü municipal employee now heading İBB’s public‑relations department. Media reports detail his rapid enrichment—luxury vehicles, a villa registered under family members, and alleged favoritism in hiring relatives—despite claims of innocence. Other defendants, including former İBB media managers, denied the charges and described the proceedings as politically motivated.