Turkish opposition party mayors detained in expanding corruption probe

An extensive investigation targeting municipalities governed by Türkiye’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) has led to the detention of several officials, including prominent mayors.

Among those taken into custody are Adana Metropolitan Mayor Zeydan Karalar, Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere, Büyükçekmece Deputy Mayor Ahmet Şahin, and Antalya Metropolitan Mayor Muhittin Böcek, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is leading the investigation, which focuses on alleged connections between municipal officials and organised crime groups, as well as accusations of bribery and extortion.

The probe includes activities involving Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Büyükçekmece, and the businessman Aziz İhsan Aktaş, whose companies have featured prominently in the case.

Authorities have issued detention orders for 15 suspects in total, with 7 already detained, including municipal employees, businesspeople, and lawyers connected to the alleged network.

Among those detained are Özcan Zenger, Director of Cleaning Services at Seyhan Municipality, and Onur Büyükhatipoğlu, a lawyer alleged to have played a role in maintaining the organisation’s structure during the investigation.

Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere confirmed via social media that he had been taken into custody and transferred to Istanbul. Meanwhile, Antalya Metropolitan Mayor Muhittin Böcek was detained in connection with a separate bribery investigation conducted by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, with searches also carried out at his residence.

The probe also touches on allegations related to former mayors. Investigations reveal that Hasan Akgün, former Mayor of Büyükçekmece, allegedly solicited properties from construction companies in exchange for building permits and occupancy certificates, with some properties reportedly transferred to his relatives and associated companies.

In a statement, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office detailed that some suspects had benefited from the legal provision of effective remorse and provided information leading to further detentions.

The office outlined accusations including extortion, bribery, membership of a criminal organisation, and laundering of assets acquired through criminal activities.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to execute search and detention operations related to the case.

By Aghakazim Guliyev