Silivri Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu arrested in corruption probe

Turkish authorities have launched a wide‑ranging corruption investigation into the Silivri municipality. The probe alleges that the mayor, Bora Balcıoğlu, and several municipal officials and affiliates engaged in organized crime, bribery, money‑laundering and other offenses related to illegal personnel hiring, property sales, lease contracts, zoning violations and misuse of public assets.

A coordinated police operation on 12 June detained 18 suspects, including Mayor Balcıoğlu, Deputy Mayor Fatih Yavuz, council member Aykut Batur and various municipal staff. After health checks, the suspects were transferred to Silivri Court. The court later ordered the detention of 10–11 individuals, including Balcıoğlu, while eight others were released under judicial control.

A forensic audit estimated that the sale of a park‑area parcel at a reduced price caused a public loss of about 21.5 million Turkish lira. The case also triggered a temporary suspension of Balcıoğlu from office under Turkish law, with a mayoral by‑election scheduled for 20 June. The investigation remains ongoing, and final judicial decisions are pending.