Bakırköy Deputy Mayor Abdülhamit Pehlivan arrested in corruption probe

Abdülhamit Pehlivan, the Deputy Mayor of Bakırköy, has been arrested as part of an investigation into corruption and bribery allegations involving 39 individuals.

The arrest has drawn a sharp reaction from his brother, Mehmet Pehlivan, a lawyer currently detained in Silivri Prison on allegations of being a member of a criminal organization. Mehmet Pehlivan stated that his brother had been caring for their cancer-stricken parents and assisting with family needs during his 17-month detention.

Mehmet Pehlivan expressed frustration with the current judicial climate, noting that his brother, a long-time civil servant, had previously expressed disbelief that such actions could be taken against a public official who strictly followed regulations and laws.