Bolu Municipality investigation: General Secretary Yıldız arrested, 8 people released

A significant development has occurred within the scope of the extensive investigation targeting Bolu Municipality, which scrutinizes suspicious tenders and administrative irregularities in local government. Following the sixth wave of operations, twelve suspects, against whom detention warrants were issued, were referred to judicial authorities after the completion of their procedures at the police department. In this process, the file was meticulously submitted to the relevant courthouse for examination by the prosecutor's office, adhering strictly to legal procedures due to the civil servant status of the suspects and the scope of the investigation.

After the referral to the courthouse, Özgür Nihat Yıldız, the Bolu Municipality Private Secretary and also the General Manager responsible for municipal companies, was arrested by the duty penal judge. It was stated that Yıldız was sent to prison on the grounds of strong suspicion of crime and the possibility of evidence tampering or absconding within the scope of the investigation. This decision led to comments that the investigation, centered on the bureaucrats closest to the mayor's office, was deepening and that suspected activities were concentrated at the heart of the municipal mechanism.

In addition to the arrest of Özgür Nihat Yıldız, it was decided to release the other eight suspects detained within the scope of the operation under judicial control provisions. The court ruled for their trial without detention by implementing measures such as bans on foreign travel with the condition of designating a residence and signature obligations. It was stated that the majority of those released were lower-level staff or administrative personnel within the municipality, while the detention focused on high-level executives.

The investigation initiated in Bolu in recent months regarding financial transactions of municipal subsidiaries and the main municipal structure, which reveals new details with every wave, has required dozens of people to testify and be examined so far. The prosecution continues to expand the file based on serious suspicions and findings of irregularities, particularly regarding tender processes, personnel recruitment, and "off-the-record" expenditures of companies affiliated with the municipality. It was noted that the sixth wave of operations reached the most critical names of the investigation based on existing evidence and gained dimension with new evidence.

With the recent procedures, an increase is observed in the number of people arrested within the scope of the investigation, while an atmosphere of uncertainty continues regarding the administrative structure of Bolu Municipality and the activities of its affiliates until the legal process is concluded. It was learned that administrative processes regarding the suspension or removal from office of arrested General Manager Yıldız are awaited, while whether the other suspects can continue their duties under judicial control conditions will be evaluated by the Municipality Presidency or the Ministry of Interior. Legal circles stated that requests for arrest could come back on the agenda if the judicial control decisions accepted by the court are not complied with.