Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş faces investigation over concert spending allegations

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TURKEY — Nov. 22, 2025

The Turkish Interior Ministry has granted permission for an investigation into Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş and his chief of staff, following allegations of misconduct regarding municipal concert expenditures.

The decision, which authorizes a probe into charges of "misconduct in office" and "negligence of supervisory duties," comes after a request from the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The investigation centers on claims of excessive spending for Republic Day celebrations, specifically a concert by pop star Ebru Gündeş.

CHP condemns the move as politically motivated

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), of which Yavaş is a prominent member, reacted swiftly and sharply to the ministry's decision. Party officials view the investigation as a targeted political attack against one of their most popular mayors.

CHP Deputy Chairman Burhanettin Bulut criticized the double standard in a statement on social media platform X.

"Interior Ministry grants investigation permission for our Mayor Mansur Yavaş, who uses Ankara's resources for the people of Ankara with a transparent and accountable management approach," Bulut stated. "While those who handed Ankara over to FETÖ parcel by parcel, and wasted hundreds of millions of dollars on dinosaurs and wasteful projects have remained untouched for years, Mayor Mansur is being targeted. Try another door! This fabric does not hold stains."

Gökan Zeybek, another CHP Deputy Chairman, echoed these sentiments, declaring Yavaş "untouchable" in the eyes of Ankara's residents. He argued that the investigation is a symptom of the government's "great depression" and vowed to stand behind the mayor and his team.

The 69 million TL controversy

The controversy stems from the municipality's Republic Day events held on Oct. 29, 2024. Allegations surfaced claiming that a contract worth 69 million Turkish Liras (approx. $2 million) was signed for a concert by Ebru Gündeş.

In response, the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality clarified that the figure covered not just the artist's fee, but the total costs for all events held on Oct. 28-29, including technical setup and other logistical expenses. Mayor Yavaş had previously announced that an internal audit was underway and that no payments would be made to the organizing firm until the review was complete.

Yavaş predicted a 'Second Wave'

Mayor Yavaş had anticipated such legal maneuvers. In a statement made late last month, he warned of a potential "second wave" operation against his administration.

"They are saying that a second wave will start soon, with over 30 suspects including my private secretary," Yavaş had said, characterizing the scrutiny as a political operation. "Let's see if such an operation happens; if it does, it will reveal who is directing it."

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