Sinem Dedetaş of GEMIMO expresses concern over her detention, emphasizing justice, merit, and the will of the voters amid ongoing investigations.
GEMIMO's Statement by Sinem Dedetaş: 'We Stand by Justice, Competence, and National Will'
The Chamber of Marine Engineering of TMMOB has released a statement regarding the detention of Sinem Dedetaş, the Mayor of Üsküdar and the President of the 44th Term Management Board of the Chamber of Marine Engineers. GEMIMO indicated that it is following the process 'with deep concern and sensitivity,' emphasizing the presumption of innocence, the right not to be defamed, and the will of the voters.
The 43rd Term Management Board of the Chamber of Marine Engineering of TMMOB issued a written press release concerning the detention process involving Mayor Sinem Dedetaş. The Chamber highlighted Dedetaş’s work in the fields of maritime, engineering, public administration, and local governments, requesting that the process be conducted within the framework of the rule of law and fair trial principles.
Sinem Dedetaş, the Mayor of Üsküdar, was detained on the morning of July 29, 2026, along with five others, as part of an investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Office of the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that the investigation was initiated based on reports, statements, and some suspicious testimonies regarding irregularities in the structure and occupancy permit processes. Dedetaş faces accusations of 'bribery,' 'embezzlement,' and 'establishing and managing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime,' while simultaneous searches, seizures, and detentions were carried out at 11 addresses in Istanbul. The allegations are still in the investigation phase.
In the same type of investigation targeting the Üsküdar Municipality, two separate operations were conducted in April and May. A total of 16 individuals detained during these operations were ordered to be arrested.
Sinem Dedetaş, a graduate of Istanbul Technical University’s Faculty of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, served as the President of the Management Board of the Chamber of Marine Engineers from 2014 to 2016. In 2019, she became the first female general manager of Istanbul City Lines Inc., and was elected as the Mayor of Üsküdar in the local elections on March 31, 2024.
While in detention, Dedetaş stated in a handwritten message published on July 30 that her health was good and expressed that the support messages she received boosted her morale.
The full text of the press release published by GEMIMO is as follows:
PRESS RELEASE
WE STAND BY JUSTICE, COMPETENCE, AND NATIONAL WILL:
WE ARE FOLLOWING THE PROCESS REGARDING OUR COLLEAGUE SİNEM DEDETAŞ WITH CONCERN!
We are following the detention process initiated against our esteemed colleague, Ms. Sinem Dedetaş, who is a valuable scientist and management professional nurtured by our maritime community, with deep concern and sensitivity.
Ms. Sinem Dedetaş has repeatedly proven her concrete successes in her rights-based struggles within civil society organizations, in her high-level administrative roles in the public sector, and in her position as the Mayor elected by the legitimate votes of our nation. She has exhibited a management profile that is synonymous with competence in our maritime and engineering community, characterized by her technical expertise, integrity, and a work ethic that prioritizes the public good above all.
It is unacceptable that recent judicial practices and legal applications have transformed into a tool for creating pressure and perception against the opposition, straying from the principle of impartiality in justice. The rule of law cannot be bent according to individuals, offices, or political contexts. We stand with unwavering determination against any attitude aimed at intimidating, scaring, and suppressing the competent, patriotic, and productive children of this country through political perception operations and excessive practices.
It is essential that the justice mechanism, which should be upheld above all, operates in a neutral, independent, and swift manner to protect the right not to be defamed, the presumption of innocence, and the will of the nation. The foundation of democracy and the rule of law is that elected officials and competent individuals providing public services are under legal protection.
As TMMOB GEMIMO, we stand by our esteemed colleague Ms. Sinem Dedetaş as a requirement of our professional solidarity and unwavering faith in the law. We expect the process to be concluded transparently as soon as possible within the framework of the right to a fair trial and the principles of the rule of law, and for justice to be served without delay.
Respectfully announced to the public.
TMMOB CHAMBER OF MARINE ENGINEERING 43rd TERM MANAGEMENT BOARD
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
