Operation against Bakırköy and Merkezefendi municipalities: 58 detained, mayor's father among them

In an operation launched against Bakırköy Municipality in the early morning hours, 58 people were detained, including deputy mayors Nurcan Alan, Ali Rıza Akyüz, Cemalettin Özdemir, Arda Karadağ, and Abdülhamit Pehlivan, along with 2 council members and various department heads; detention orders were issued for 68 people in total.

According to the investigation, it is alleged that irregularities were committed in tender processes causing public harm, and that business owners seeking permits were unlawfully demanded money.

On the same day, Merkezefendi Municipality Mayor Şeniz Doğan of Denizli was also detained along with her spouse.

YENİ Party General President Özgür Özel announced that the 86-year-old father of Bakırköy Municipality Mayor Ayşegül Ovalıoğlu was also detained. "We are in a period when our uncle, who does not enter the municipality building and spends most of his time outside Bakırköy, has been detained," Özel said, adding "We will never forget those who committed this injustice."

YENİ Party Group Deputy Chair Murat Emir characterized the operations as a "family-wide hostage arrangement," while Deputy General President Yaşar Tüzün, responsible for Local Administrations, emphasized that the presumption of innocence and right to reputation must be respected.