Antalya Mayor faces up to 69 years in prison over corruption charges

An indictment involving 55 defendants, including 15 currently in custody, has been accepted by the Antalya 4th High Criminal Court. The case follows an investigation into bribery and corruption regarding organization and service procurement tenders conducted by the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and its subsidiary, ANSET, between 2021 and 2025.

Prosecutors allege that competition in public tenders was obstructed, costs were set above actual values, and public resources were diverted to specific companies. The indictment also includes allegations of money laundering. Investigations utilized data from MASAK, Sayıştay, expert reports, and bank records to examine expenditures related to festivals, concerts, and promotional services.

Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek, who has been removed from office and detained, faces charges of bribery, tender fraud, and money laundering, with a requested prison sentence ranging from 25 to 69 years. Former ANSET General Manager Cansel Çevikol Tuncer faces similar charges of tender fraud and money laundering, with a requested sentence of 9 to 21 years.