Thousands protest outside Beşiktaş Municipality after call to arrest CHP mayor

Duvar English

After Istanbul’s Beşiktaş District Mayor Rıza Akpolat, who was detained four days ago during an operation involving 40 individuals accused of "rigging public tenders," was referred to court with a request for arrest, thousands on Jan. 16 gathered in front of the municipality building. 

Following new developments in the case, the main opposition Republican People’s Party CHP Istanbul Provincial Organization called for a gathering in front of Beşiktaş Municipality.

Thousands of people, including CHP’s regional organizations, assembled at the municipality building to protest Akpolat's detention, expressing their discontent with the government.

CHP members marched to the rally area holding signs that read "Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the people," chanting slogans like "No salvation alone, either all together or none of us."

Criticizing the government, many participants expressed their belief that the real target is Ekrem İmamoğlu and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB). They emphasized their support for main opposition mayor Akpolat and their commitment to protecting electoral integrity.

Before Akpolat, CHP’s Esenyurt District Mayor was arrested and replaced with a trustee.

The protest was also attended by CHP Chairperson Özgür Özel, Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu, Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş, and many other CHP-affiliated mayors.

Public reactions at rally

A participant emphasized the need for larger demonstrations, stating, "The government isn't addressing realities but creating perceptions. They arrested Rıza Akpolat to fabricate an image, saying, 'You voted for these people, but they’re corrupt.' This is part of their strategy to undermine CHP municipalities, with İmamoğlu being their primary target."

As the rally continued, municipality workers were cleaning the municipality while collecting garbage, saying they were worried about the possibility of a trustee being appointed to the municipality.

They stated, "Even if a trustee comes, (we hope) they won't target workers. We're employees doing our job, and we’ll continue to do so."

What happened?

In Istanbul, a criminal investigation was launched against “a profit-driven crime syndicate” allegedly led by a business person named Aziz İhsan Aktaş. The group was accused of bribing mayors and senior municipal officials to manipulate bidding processes, ensuring contracts were awarded to their own companies. 

As part of the investigation, arrest warrants were issued for 47 individuals, including former Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer and Beşiktaş Mayor Akpolat. Özer was previously arrested due to a previous investigation and replaced with a trustee.

Akpolat’s defense

CHP Mayor Akpolat, along with 30 others, has been referred to the criminal court of peace with a request for arrest on Jan. 16. 

In his statement to the prosecutor obtained by the Gazete Duvar, Akpolat denied any connection with Aktaş, who is alleged to be the leader of a criminal organization.

When asked about allegations in a complaint to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stating that tenders were awarded to Aktaş's companies in exchange for bribes and tailored to ensure those companies would win, Akpolat responded: "I have no knowledge of the process. I delegated authority to colleagues who oversee the tender procedures. The process is conducted under their supervision, and they are the ones who sign the contracts."

Akpolat denied any allegations of membership in a criminal organization, bid rigging, and illicit enrichment.

After the detainment of the main opposition mayor, it was reported that the said companies have won large public tenders from various state institutions and municipalities including the ones controlled by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

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