The Ministry of Internal Affairs made the following statement: Within the scope of the investigations carried out against them;
Eyüpsultan Mayor Mithat Bülent ÖZMEN, with the decision of Ankara 1st Criminal Court of Peace dated 05.10.2026 and Interrogation number 2026/930, for the crimes of "Being a Member of an Organization Established for the Purpose of Committing a Crime, Taking Bribes and Rigging the Tenders of Public Institutions and Organizations",
Ataşehir Deputy Mayor Murat GÜNEŞ, with the decision of the Istanbul Anatolian 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace dated 05.10.2026 and Interrogation number 2026/966, for the crimes of "Being a Member of an Organization Established for the Purpose of Committing a Crime and Receiving Bribes",
Yenişehir Mayor Abdullah ÖZYİĞİT, with the decision of Mersin 4th Criminal Court of Peace dated 05.10.2026 and Interrogation number 2026/1145, for the crimes of "Taking Bribes, Establishing an Organization for the Purpose of Committing a Crime, Extortion by Extortion and Fraud to the Detriment of Public Institutions and Organizations",
Vahap SEÇER, Mayor of Mersin Metropolitan Municipality and President of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey, by the decision of Mersin 4th Criminal Court of Peace dated 06.10.2026 and Interrogation number 2026/1150, for the crimes of "Forgery of Official Documents, Rigging the Tender of Public Institutions or Organizations, Establishing an Organization for the Purpose of Committing Crimes and Fraud to the Detriment of Public Institutions and Organizations",
Mezitli Mayor and Eastern Mediterranean Municipalities Union President Ahmet Serkan TUNCER was sentenced to Mersin 4th Criminal Court of Peace for the crimes of "Being a Member of an Organization Established for the Purpose of Committing a Crime, Fraud to the Detriment of Public Institutions and Organizations, Giving Bribes, Extortion by Force, Taking Bribes, Rigging the Tender of Public Institutions or Organizations, and Establishing an Organization for the Purpose of Committing a Crime". He was arrested with the decision dated 06.10.2026 and Query number 2026/1148.
The aforementioned mayors and deputy mayors were suspended from office by the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a temporary measure in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipality Law No. 5393.
Moreover; Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Vahap SEÇER has been suspended from his position as the President of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye, and Mezitli Mayor Ahmet Serkan TUNCER has been suspended from his position as the President of the Eastern Mediterranean Municipalities Union. It is announced to the public with respect.
ELECTION IN EYÜPSULTAN IS ON OCTOBER 10
In the statement made by the Istanbul Governorship on the subject, Eyüpsultan Mayor Mithat Bülent Özmen was arrested by the decision of the Ankara 1st Criminal Court of Peace dated 05.10.2026 and query number 2026/930, within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crimes of "Being a Member of an Organization Established for the Purpose of Committing a Crime, Taking Bribes and Rigging the Tender of Public Institutions and Organizations". "The above mentioned person was suspended from duty with the approval of the Ministry of Internal Affairs dated 06.10.2026. In accordance with the provisions of Article 45 of the Municipality Law No. 5393, it was deemed appropriate by our Governorship to convene the Eyüpsultan District Municipal Council at 14.00 on Saturday, October 10, 2026."
VICE MAYOR ELECTION IN ATAŞEHİR MUNICIPALITY WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 10
Istanbul Governorship also announced that the election for a new deputy mayor will be held on October 10, replacing Murat Güneş, who was suspended from his post as Deputy Mayor of Ataşehir by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
In the statement made by the Istanbul Governorship on the subject, "Ataşehir Deputy Mayor Murat Güneş was arrested within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crimes of 'Being a Member of an Organization Established for the Purpose of Committing a Crime' and 'Taking a Bribe', with the decision of the Istanbul Anatolian 6th Criminal Court of Peace dated 05.10.2026 and query number 2026/966. The said person was arrested by the Ministry of Internal Affairs." He was dismissed from office with the approval of his office dated 06.10.2026. In accordance with the provisions of Article 45 of the Municipality Law No. 5393, it was deemed appropriate by our Governorship to convene the Ataşehir District Municipal Council at 10:00 on Saturday, October 10, 2026."
