Of the 47 suspects whose police procedures were completed, 43 were referred to court and four were released after giving statements. Those sent to court include former Bayraklı Mayor Serdar Sandal, his son, a former local CHP chairman who works at the municipality, two former chairmen of BAYBEL AŞ, the press director of Karşıyaka Municipality and two branch managers at İzmir Metropolitan Municipality.
According to the prosecutor's office, irregular transactions caused a public loss of about 20.1 million liras in 2023 and 2024, and owners of companies awarded direct procurement contracts sent municipal staff a total of 4.6 million liras in bribes. Some payments to companies were later transferred to the accounts of a former BAYBEL chairman, his brother and Sandal's son. Efforts continue to catch one fugitive suspect.
How the investigation began
Detention orders were issued for 48 suspects as part of an investigation into bribery and bid rigging involving Bayraklı Municipality in İzmir. Forty-five suspects were detained in a simultaneous operation coordinated by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation concerns an organization allegedly operating under the leadership of Serdar Sandal, the former mayor of Bayraklı. The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that the operation was launched after evidence was obtained concerning the crimes of forming an organization for the purpose of committing crimes, bribery and bid rigging.
Scope of the investigation
According to a statement by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the suspects include the former mayor of Bayraklı, managers and employees who worked at the municipality and its companies, and representatives and owners of various companies.
The investigation examined reports by the Court of Accounts and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board, as well as information and documents obtained through technical and physical surveillance. The work was conducted jointly by the Provincial Police Department’s Financial Crimes and Intelligence branches.
Search and apprehension efforts continue
The operation was carried out simultaneously to apprehend the suspects and seize evidence of the alleged crimes. Efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects who have not been detained, as well as searches and seizures at the addresses, are continuing.
