Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Köseler, detained in judicial operations targeting municipalities run by the opposition CHP, has been released from custody. Köseler is the first mayor to be released among 16 who remain under arrest.

In a significant development today (September 5th) a court in Istanbul has granted release to Alaattin Köseler, the mayor of Beykoz district, along with 12 others who had been detained following a wave of operations targeting CHP-controlled municipalities. Köseler, a member of Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), is yet to be acquitted.

Köseler and his co-defendants appeared before the judge for the first time on 2 September 2025, following their removal from office and arrest. Today, the prosecution delivered its closing argument. Taking into account defence statements, the strength of the evidence, and the duration of pre-trial detention, the Istanbul Anadolu 17th High Criminal Court decided to release the detained individuals.

Alaattin Köseler and 26 others were arrested on charges of “bid rigging, forming or aiding a criminal organization, and aggravated fraud.”

The prosecution alleged widespread procurement irregularities across the municipality’s........

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