Turkey: Lawyer of Ekrem İmamoğlu Arrested Amid Istanbul Municipality Corruption Investigation

26 August 2025, 9:42 AM

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إمام أوغلو — كرمانبك, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Turkish authorities have arrested Nusret Yılmaz, the lawyer representing former Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, in the northeastern city of Trabzon. The arrest is part of a broader investigation into alleged corruption involving the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

تركيا، Ekrem İmamoğlu — كرمانبك, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Details of the Arrest

According to local sources, Yılmaz is a long-time associate of İmamoğlu and also serves as legal counsel for İmamoğlu’s spouse, Dilek İmamoğlu. He has been transferred to Istanbul under tight security for further questioning. His arrest marks the third phase of an ongoing series of detentions targeting individuals linked to allegations of organized corruption within municipal institutions.

Previous Arrests Within the Legal Team

Earlier in the investigation, authorities also detained Mehmet Pehlivan, İmamoğlu’s lead attorney, following a summons to provide testimony in connection with the same case.

Background of the İmamoğlu Investigation

تركيا — كرمانبك, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ekrem İmamoğlu, who currently holds the position of Istanbul mayor and was previously a presidential candidate, was arrested in March following the annulment of his university degree based on corruption-related allegations. The investigation was initiated ahead of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) primaries to select a presidential candidate.

His arrest coincided with a broader operation involving over 100 individuals. On April 26, the public prosecutor’s office issued arrest warrants for 53 people, citing charges including the formation of a criminal organization, bid rigging, bribery, and aggravated fraud.

أكرم إمام أوغلو — Orhan Erkılıç, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

On May 20, the investigation entered a new phase with 22 additional arrest warrants issued, including one for Taner Çetin. He is accused of coordinating irregular procurement processes within two municipal affiliates: Media AŞ and Kültür AŞ, and allegedly accepting bribes.

On May 22, the prosecutor’s office confirmed the detention of 13 more individuals directly linked to the same case.