Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer voiced allegations of corruption and bribery against the trustee administration. Özer recounted the process in detail. He recalled that he was elected by popular vote on March 31, 2024. He then noted that he was arrested on October 30, 2024. He said that a trustee was appointed in his place on October 31, 2024, and that the municipal council was rendered dysfunctional. He noted that despite rulings for his release and acquittal, he was not reinstated to his post. He received a decision of non-prosecution on the bribery charge. He stated that he was acquitted of rigging tenders and that he continues his legal fight against the “abuse of office through negligence” ruling, a charge that was not included in the indictment.
Özer demanded that the allegations be investigated. He called for a full investigation into claims that a large amount of foreign currency and jewelry was found in the home of Deputy Mayor Yusuf Ulutaş, who was appointed by the trustee, and that high volumes of money flow were detected in his account activity. “No one, including the trustee, no matter what office they hold, is above the law,” Özer said, emphasizing that the municipal budget is the people’s money. He stated that the appointed administration must be held accountable to the same extent as the elected administration.
Özer clarified his demands. While asking which oversight mechanisms the tenders are checked through, he also questioned the auditing of progress payments and public resources and demanded that the connections behind the allegations be brought to light. “Our demand is not revenge, but justice. Not privilege, but equality before the law. Not silence, but transparency,” he said.
Why it matters
The debate in Esenyurt is no longer merely about the prosecution of an elected mayor; it has turned into a question of whether an appointed administration will be subject to oversight. The council remaining dysfunctional means that budget and tender decisions are being taken without the approval of any elected body; Özer’s questions directly target this oversight gap. His inability to return to his post despite rulings of non-prosecution and acquittal, elected to office
Background
Ahmet is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 3 stories featuring this name in the last 90 days; the most recent is dated September 8, 2026.