Türkiye corruption probe sees nearly 20 arrests in sweeping crackdown

Police procedures have been completed in Istanbul for 20 individuals detained in connection with a corruption investigation in the Ataşehir district municipality, Türkiye.

The case, launched by the Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, involves the district mayor, Onursal Adıgüzel, his deputies, and several municipal employees, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

They are suspected of systematically receiving bribes in public tender processes, as well as in the issuance of construction permits and occupancy certificates.

After medical examinations, all detainees were brought before judicial authorities. The prosecutor’s office requested the arrest of 19 suspects, including the mayor, while one suspect is expected to be placed under judicial control measures.

According to the investigation, the case was initiated following corruption allegations. Financial intelligence reports and telephone communication records were reviewed as part of the probe. Investigators concluded that official permits were issued in exchange for bribes, with payments allegedly reaching millions of dollars.

Authorities also found evidence suggesting that some officials acted in coordination with business figures, with the size of illegal payments depending on the scale of projects and distributed among participants in the scheme.

The investigation is ongoing.

By Jeyhun Aghazada