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A total of 34 suspects, including Çukurova Mayor Emrah Kozay and former mayor Soner Çetin, were jailed yesterday in an investigation into alleged irregularities at the Adana-based municipality. Of the 49 suspects referred to court, the rest were released under judicial control.

The inquiry, run by the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, covers claims of rigged tenders, bribes from contractors and salaries paid to staff who did not actually work. Two suspects wanted in the case are still being sought.

Court decisions

The 49 suspects, detained on 19 October and sent to court from the provincial gendarmerie command yesterday, appeared before the duty Criminal Judgeship of Peace. They included Mayor Kozay, his predecessor Çetin and four deputy mayors.

The judge ordered 34 suspects jailed, among them Kozay, Çetin and three deputy mayors. The remaining suspects, including one deputy mayor, were released under judicial control. Two other suspects subject to detention orders are still being sought.

Allegations under investigation

The Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office opened the investigation into claims of irregularities in tenders and direct procurements at Çukurova Municipality, the improper use of the "exception" clause under article 3/g of Public Procurement Law No. 4734 in purchases made through a company owned by the municipality, bribes taken from contractors in exchange for progress payments, and salaries paid to some municipal staff who did not actually go to work.

The probe covers charges of establishing, managing and being a member of a criminal organization, bribery, qualified fraud and rigging tenders.

How the operation unfolded

Following complaints in the case file, a three-member expert panel examined tender and direct procurement records obtained from Çukurova Municipality for 2024, 2025 and 2026. Based on the panel's report and other evidence, gendarmerie organized crime teams carried out an operation on 19 October targeting 51 suspects.

Those named in the operation included Mayor Kozay, former mayor Çetin, four deputy mayors and one manager of a municipality-owned company. Forty-four suspects were initially detained, and the number rose to 49 after five more were caught.

Key takeaways

• Çukurova Mayor Emrah Kozay and former mayor Soner Çetin were jailed in the municipality corruption case.
• A total of 34 suspects were jailed, while others were released under judicial control.
• The investigation covers claims of rigged tenders, bribes and salaries paid to staff who did not work.
• Two suspects wanted in the probe are still being sought.