By Janet Ekstract, ISTANBUL – On Wednesday, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, artist Ercan Saatci and journalist Ismail Saymaz were purportedly detained based on investigations over a variety of issues that include corruption, terrorism and the Gezi Park protests that took place in 2013. According to media reports, The Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office explained the investigation was launched after a “Money Counting Incident” within the Republican People’s Party (CHP) where Imamoglu is being accused of heading up a criminal organization during his time as mayor of Beylikduzu. So far, 106 people were detained in Istanbul on Wednesday as part of three separate investigations. The following municipality-owned companies MEDYA S.A., KULTUR S.A., KIPTAS and ISFALT were allegedly used for illegal activities. Those detained as part of the investigations include Murat Ongun – Imamoglu’s advisor, a Media S.A. executive, Necati Ozkan, Imamoglu’s campaign manager, Ercan Saatci, an artist, Tuncay Yilmaz, General Manager of Imamoglu Construction Company, Can Akin Caglar, Secretary-general of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Bugra Gokce, Head of Istanbul Planning Agency and Murat Abbas, General Manager of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Culture, S.A.
As for the third investigation related to the 2013 Gezi Park protests, journalist Ismail Saymaz was detained for his supposed involvement in the Taksim Solidarity movement and his purported role in escalating those protests. Accusations against Saymaz include sharing social media posts related to the Gezi protest, appearing on Osman Kavala’s website and promoting the events online. Saymaz previously said that he was under a travel ban. Imamoglu is being detained in connection to the Media, S.A. tenders, city consensus strategy and a terrorism investigation. The investigation is ongoing with charges being levied that include bribery, fraud, leading a criminal organization and other crimes. In addition to Imamoglu, a plethora of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality employees and other people were already detained.
