⚖️ Justice System and Everyday Life in Türkiye
Istanbul flood death toll rises to six after another body is found
The body of Haşim Ciritlioğlu, who had been missing since the 14 October flooding, was found near the Ayvansaray ferry pier at about 07:30, the Istanbul Governorship said, raising the death toll to six. Governor Davut Gül’s office said the search continues for one more missing person.
Flood-hit Ayazağa structures demolished
Nineteen shops, a Quran course building and the Ayazağa Atatürk Stadium, all built in the Ayazağa stream bed in Sarıyer, were demolished on 18 October. Authorities said they obstructed a stream rehabilitation project; rubble clearance continued overnight.
Journalist Murat Ağırel among 17 sent to court in money-laundering probe
Seventeen people, including journalist Murat Ağırel, were referred to court on 19 October in an Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office investigation into alleged laundering of criminal proceeds. Abdurrahman Emir Sarıgül, who had been sought under a detention order, surrendered to the financial crimes unit with his lawyer. Prosecutors allege two German citizens laundered money through domestic and foreign companies.
Operation in 12 provinces targets Süleymancı community; 22 detained
In an Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office investigation into an alleged profit-driven criminal organisation, an Ankara-based operation across 12 provinces targeted the Süleymancı community. Of 38 suspects, 22 were detained, 14 are abroad and two are being sought.
“Reproductive cell trade” raids in 14 provinces; 36 detained
Simultaneous raids on 19 October, led by Istanbul’s Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, targeted a network that allegedly sent women to clinics in the TRNC, Albania and Georgia to sell eggs; 41 women allegedly made 811 sales. Of 53 suspects, 36 were detained and 16 are sought. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced the operation.
Two detained over armed attack on Eşref Saral in Trabzon
Eşref Saral was hit by five bullets in an armed attack in the Of district of Trabzon. Istanbul police detained two suspects, aged 30 and 34, in Çatalca. Of Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating on charges including attempted murder and forming a criminal organisation.
Official car driver arrested after fatal crash of Üsküdar acting mayor
Muharrem Kiremitçi, driver of the official car in which Üsküdar acting mayor Dündar Ziya Gültekin died after a 15 October crash on the Anadolu Motorway in Düzce, was arrested on a charge of causing death by negligence.
About 100 hospitalised after suspected food poisoning at pilaf event in Bursa
Around 100 people went to İnegöl State Hospital with nausea and vomiting after eating chicken pilaf at a Mevlid and pilaf day in Çitli neighbourhood. Samples were taken for testing and an investigation has begun.
Rescue operation continues in Isparta’s Yazılı Canyon
Three of 14 people trapped in Yazılı Canyon in Sütçüler were rescued and one person died. Officials are in contact with the other 10, reportedly in good health. Work paused overnight and was due to resume on the morning of 19 October.
🏛️ Politics
Fund Coordination Board: 40.8 billion lira paid out in fund liquidations
The sixth meeting of the Fund Coordination Board, chaired by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, reported that liquidation of 66 funds run by A1, Bulls and Pardus Portföy is complete, with about 40.8 billion lira paid to more than 45,000 people. The number of funds in liquidation fell from 131 to 65, and payments continue next week. A bill on the process passed the Plan and Budget Committee on 14 October and is expected in the General Assembly next week.
🤝 Ruling Government (AKP, MHP, CHP and DEM coalition aka People’s Alliance)
DEM Party’s Bakırhan: “We negotiate with one hand, oppose with the other”
Speaking at the DEM Party Bursa provincial congress, co-chair Tuncer Bakırhan said: “Biz bir taraftan müzakere yaparız, bir taraftan muhalefet yaparız.” He urged the government to take concrete steps for peace, asked why Ahmet Türk has not been reinstated, and called for implementation of European Court of Human Rights and Constitutional Court (AYM) rulings.
🗳️ Opposition Parties (New Party and İYİ Party)
Gendarmerie operation at Çukurova Municipality in Adana
Gendarmerie teams surrounded and searched the Çukurova Municipality building in Adana on the morning of 19 October. Many detention orders were reported, with no exact number or charges given in the article.
Özgür Çelik re-elected YENİ Parti Istanbul chair as sole candidate
Unofficial results show Özgür Çelik won 74,644 of 74,663 votes cast by Istanbul members (19 invalid) in the party’s provincial primary. Provincial chair elections were held in all 81 provinces, and the national leader will be elected by member vote in November.
CHP and YENİ Parti to field separate candidates in Üsküdar acting mayor vote
The Üsküdar acting mayor election will be held on Tuesday 20 October at 10:00 after Dündar Ziya Gültekin’s death. CHP spokesperson Müslim Sarı said CHP will field its own candidate and that YENİ Parti will also run one.