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Mayor Fatma Kaplan Hürriyet and spouse detained in İzmit corruption raid
Coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, police carried out simultaneous raids on July 20, 2026 in five provinces – İzmit, Antalya, Kırıkkale, Istanbul and Ankara – targeting the İzmit Municipality. The operation resulted in the arrest of 31 suspects, with 28 taken into custody, including the CHP mayor Fatma Kaplan Hürriyet and her husband Murat Hürriyet. Authorities allege the creation of a criminal organisation, bribery and bid‑rigging in municipal tenders. Investigators say firms that won contracts had family ties to municipal officials and that “commission” payments were collected, while the mayor’s spouse is accused of influencing tender processes, personnel hires and cadre selections. Other detainees comprise senior municipal managers, CHP district officials and several company representatives. The suspects have been transferred to Istanbul for interrogation; their statements are being recorded. During the arrest, Mayor Hürriyet said, “Ekşi yemedim ki karnım ağrısın,” indicating she felt calm about the proceedings. The prosecutor’s office has opened a comprehensive review of the municipality’s procurement practices, and further judicial steps are expected.