Stories from Istanbul · Turkey

The Arnavutköy Metro serving Istanbul Airport will provide free service on May 1. In Ankara, the Başkent Ray line will also offer free transit to citizens on the same day. The İzmir İzban rail line is scheduled to provide free service for May Day as well.

Traffic density in Istanbul has reached 76% in several areas. One lane is reported closed on Millet Caddesi in the Aksaray direction. Heavy congestion is also affecting the Avrasya Tunnel, the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in both directions. Hundreds of tapes fell from a moving truck on the D100 highway in Silivri, Istanbul, heading towards Tekirdağ. The incident caused traffic congestion and resulted in some vehicles sustaining tire burns. Police closed the highway to manage the traffic flow.

The released individuals include Emrah Yüksel, İsmet Korkmaz, Mehmet Çağlar Kuru, Nuri Cemce, Yusuf Uçku Şahin, Esma Bayrak, Çağlar Türkmen, and Adem Soytekin. Among those released is Adem Soytekin, who reportedly provided testimony this week under an effective repentance provision. Authorities have completed a corruption investigation regarding the Büyükçekmece preparedness efforts. Prosecutors are seeking up to 183 years of imprisonment for Hasan Akgün, who was previously removed from his post. The case involves 414 defendants, with 77 currently in custody. The 31st hearing is scheduled to take place in Silivri on Monday. A court in Istanbul has ordered the release of 33 defendants in a case that has been ongoing since the first hearing on March 9. The court decided to continue the detention of 74 other individuals, including names such as Resul Emrah Şah and others.

Murat Güneş, the CHP candidate, won the election for Deputy Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The CHP held a 24 to 12 majority in the municipal council against the Cumhur İttifakı. Tensions and arguments occurred during the first two rounds of voting, but the result remained unchanged in the third round. He replaces Onursal Güzel, who was arrested following bribery allegations. The election process reportedly involved intermittent changes during the voting period. Güneş received 22 votes, while Serhan Orhan received 14 votes. The CHP maintained a 12 to 24 advantage over the People's Alliance during the municipal council voting process. Murat Güneş, the candidate for the Republican People's Party, has won the election for Deputy Mayor of Atasehir Municipality in Istanbul.

The Turkish Union of Labor and Industry released research regarding hunger and poverty thresholds for April. This figure represents the monthly food expenditure required for a family of four to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. The poverty threshold, which covers food plus mandatory expenses like clothing, housing, transportation, education, and health, has reached 110,000 lira. The report was discussed on NTV Radyo. The report notes that the hunger threshold was previously cited around 34,000 lira in April. The findings were discussed during a May Day broadcast. Labor unions in Istanbul are scheduled to hold May Day activities starting in the early morning. Groups will gather at the Taksim Monument to lay wreaths and carnations. Union headquarters located in Beşiktaş, Şişli, and Kadıköy are expected to be central points for these gatherings.

Turkey will release a 10-year vision document regarding family and social policies on May 2 in Istanbul. The policy is expected to enter into force at the beginning of next month. The Ministry of Family and Population is also facilitating exam processes for students requiring special assistance for central exams. For the central exam scheduled for June 13, readers and coders will assist students. These assistants will be selected from teachers who successfully completed a newly established training course this year. Details related to the program are being awaited and will be conveyed to members. Turkey has issued a decree said the preservation of the family structure as a state priority.

A military area covering approximately 2.6 million square meters in Başakşehir, Istanbul, has been included in a privatization plan by decision of President Erdoğan. The move involves the transfer of state-owned military land to the private sector.

Turkish food inflation increased by 5.47 percent in April 2026. The report analyzed market price changes for the month of April. Retail prices in Istanbul increased by 3.74% in April according to data from the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. Wholesale prices in the city rose by 4.32% during the same period. The highest increase in consumer prices was recorded in the clothing and footwear category at 11.09%. Housing costs saw an 8.8% increase while other sectors showed lower growth. The Union of Turkish Agricultural Chambers released the results of its April grocery market research. The largest price discrepancy between producers and markets was observed in apples at 393.7 percent. Green onions followed with a price difference of 245.3 percent. Prices for green onions and eggplants were noted as having fluctuations in the market.

BirGün reporter İsmail Arı faces a new lawsuit while in detention for allegedly spreading misleading information. Areux continues to write daily from his cell through his lawyers and his public journal. A prosecutor has requested a prison sentence of up to three years for singer Fatih Karaca, known as Mabel Matiz. The prosecution alleges that lyrics in his songs containing content contrary to general morality were published on platforms accessible to children. The court has granted a request from Matiz's lawyer for extra time to prepare a defense. The trial has been adjourned until May 8. The judge granted a request for an extension from Karaca's lawyer to prepare a defense. Defense lawyers attended the criminal court hearing and requested an extension to prepare a defense. A court in Istanbul has sentenced former Büyükçekmece Mayor Akbül to between 68 and 183 years in prison.

The incident occurred on May 6 last year in Istanbul near Osman Paşa. Parents are seeking justice for their child following a death in Istanbul. According to the family, the service vehicle responsible for the death continues to transport students at the same school.