Turkey probes municipal corruption, naming opposition leader Müsavat Dervişoğlu and Güzelbahçe mayor

Turkey's public prosecutor launched a sweeping investigation into alleged corruption in Istanbul's municipal administration. Businessman Sarp Yalçınkaya, who cooperated with investigators, said he could not name a senior opposition figure for safety reasons; prosecutors have identified that figure as Müsavat Dervişoğlu, leader of the IYI Party. Yalçınkaya alleged Dervişoğlu facilitated meetings between the circle of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and money‑laundering operative Murat Gülibrahimoğlu, arranging multi‑billion‑lira construction contracts and demanding commissions.

In a separate case in İzmir, the Güzelbahçe municipality faced a criminal probe for organized‑crime offenses, bribery, abuse of office and illegal zoning. Mayor Mustafa Günay, his wife, former mayor Özdem Mustafa İnce and several municipal officials were detained. A witness testified that fake photographs were submitted to obtain ministry approval for illegal building permits and that bribes, including luxury cars, were exchanged for fast‑track permits and project approvals.