Bribery allegations against CHP mayor in Turkey surface during court proceedings
Bribery allegations against Mehmet Murat Çalık, the Mayor of Beylikdüzü municipality and a member of the main opposition party, the CHP (Republican People' s Party), have emerged during the 66th hearing of the high-profile ' İmamoğlu criminal organisation for gain' case.
Businessman Zafer Gül, who is a suspect in the case but not in custody, claims that Çalık requested between 5 and 6 million Turkish lira for a project within his office.
According to Gül, both he and Ali Gül were summoned to the mayor' s office.
During this meeting, a sum of between 5 and 6 million Turkish lira was allegedly demanded in connection with a project in the Beylikdüzü district.
Gül told the court that he proposed making a donation to a school, a health centre, or a mosque in exchange, rather than a direct cash transfer. Gül further asserted that Çalık rejected the proposal for a donation and insisted on a direct payment, reportedly stating: " You pay it, and we will sort it out." The businessman claimed he felt compelled to accept the demand.
He also testified that he later delivered a promissory note to Fatih Keleş, another suspect in the same case, at Keleş' s office in the Mermerciler Sanayi Sitesi industrial zone.
The aforementioned ' İmamoğlu criminal organisation for gain' case is a central legal process in Turkey involving prominent CHP figures, including the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu.
The case is being closely watched in Turkish politics and is considered a significant test for the rule of law and the political room for manoeuvre for the opposition.
The 66th hearing, where the accusations against Çalık were raised, took place on Wednesday, 19 August 2026. Accusations of corruption against political leaders, particularly from the opposition, are a recurring theme in Turkey and can have a significant impact on political dynamics.
Such cases often contribute to an intensified public debate regarding political integrity and the abuse of power, and may influence voter trust in political parties and institutions.
Consequently, the outcome of this case could have repercussions that extend well beyond the scope of local municipal administration.
Source: Star
