15 arrests in the operation against Bayraklı Municipality

In the statement made by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that in the financial audit of the municipal subsidiary BAYBEL AŞ in 2025, the Court of Accounts made findings that there were irregularities and public damage was caused in some tenders and direct supplies in 2024, and that the investigation was deepened after these were confirmed with reports.

It was stated that in some tenders and direct procurements carried out by BAYBEL AŞ, the bidding companies were in contact with each other, some services were shown as if they were received on paper or were performed incompletely, the bids were mostly received from the same companies, and the money was shared between the companies after the progress payments.

Again, some payments made by BAYBEL AŞ to the companies were later transferred to former BAYBEL Chairman B.U. and his brother H.U. It was determined that the money was transferred to the accounts of Y. Sandal, son of former Bayraklı Mayor Serdar Sandal.

During the financial investigations, it was determined that a total of 20 million 85 thousand 188 lira and 5 kuruş public damage was caused in 2023-2024 due to irregular works and transactions, and a total of 4 million 625 thousand 400 lira of bribe money was sent to the Bayraklı Municipality personnel by the owners of the companies who received business through direct procurement.

Following the findings, detention orders were given for 48 suspects in the operation launched against the organization claimed to be acting under the leadership of former Bayraklı Mayor Serdar Sandal, on charges of "establishing an organization to commit a crime", "bribery" and "tender rigging".

In the operation carried out by Izmir Provincial Police Department's Financial Crimes Fighting and Intelligence branches, based in Izmir, in Istanbul, Ankara, Elazığ and Muğla, former Bayraklı Mayor Serdar Sandal, his son Y. Sandal, former CHP Bayraklı District Mayor and municipal employee D.G, former BAYBEL AŞ Chairman and Municipal Council Member M.C.S, Karşıyaka Municipality Press and Public Relations Manager H.C.Ö, branch in Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. A.A., who served as its director. and O.Ç.Ş. 47 suspects, including former BAYBEL AŞ Chairman B.U., were detained, and it was stated that efforts were continuing to capture the suspect F.F.