Beylikdüzü Mayor Murat Çalık, who was arrested on March 23 as part of the investigation against IBB, was sent back to prison after undergoing surgery on July 4. However, Çalık’s health deteriorated and he was referred to the hospital again on July 9.
Medical reports stated that Çalık was diagnosed with acute leukemia and mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and that it was life-threatening for him to remain in prison. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced that the detention will not continue after the forensic medicine approval.
CHP Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik and IBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu called for his release, arguing that he was arrested without evidence. Imamoğlu said that Çalık had lost 15 kilograms in prison. Çalık’s wife Zehra Çalık also expressed concern for her husband’s health.
The transfer of Çalık and other IBB employees to prisons outside Istanbul has also sparked criticism of lawlessness.
July 9, 2025
BBC Turkish