Harran Mayor Mahmut Özyavuz faces corruption allegations

Mahmut Özyavuz, the Mayor of Harran in Şanlıurfa, faces allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds. Relatives of the former mayor have submitted a 91-page complaint to the MHP headquarters, alleging that Özyavuz constructed a 63-room mansion modeled after the presidential palace.

The complaint alleges a public loss of approximately 3 billion Turkish Liras resulting from irregular land sales and zoning transactions through municipal companies. Specific allegations include the capital of a municipal company being increased from 250,000 to 1 billion Turkish Liras, and the transfer of company authority to the mayor's driver. Furthermore, the document claims that Treasury-owned land underwent multiple transfers between various entities before being sold back to the municipality.

In response to the allegations, Özyavuz stated that the complaints are motivated by personal grievances after he terminated the employment of a relative. The complainants are calling for an official investigation and an audit by MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board).