Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu implicated in prostitution and drug probe with Portuguese model

Turkish prosecutors have expanded a corruption investigation into Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu after Portuguese model Tessy Ramos Correia was arrested on charges of prostitution and drug‑related offenses. Correia’s statements allege that İmamoğlu met her on a yacht off Antalya in 2021 and named three other public figures – singer Haluk Levent, businessman Hasan Vatan and politician Emir Sarıgül – as participants in similar encounters involving narcotics.

The investigation also led to the detention of Nadela Moldova, who is accused of arranging the meeting between İmamoğlu and Correia. Both Moldova and Correia have been placed under judicial custody under Turkey’s criminal code. Authorities say phone records, messages and other digital evidence have been added to the case file as the probe continues.

İmamoğlu, who was previously suspended from his mayoral duties during a separate corruption inquiry, has not commented publicly on the new allegations. The scandal adds further political pressure on the Istanbul mayor ahead of upcoming municipal elections.