Turkey conducts widespread municipal bribery raids, dozens detained

Turkish prosecutors have carried out a series of anti‑corruption operations targeting local governments. In İzmir province, a raid on Seferihisar Municipality resulted in seven suspects, including the deputy mayor, being sent to court; investigators said the scheme involved roughly 6 million TL in bribes linked to construction and zoning permits.

In Istanbul, the Anatolian Public Prosecutor’s Office arrested 41 people, among them Adalar (Prince Islands) Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat, during simultaneous searches at 90 locations in four provinces. The probe uncovered illegal licensing of historic sites, payments to avoid penalties and the manipulation of permits for unlicensed businesses.

A separate operation in Mersin’s Silifke district saw 18 officials, including Mayor Mustafa Turgut, taken into custody on suspicion of bribery, bid‑rigging and abuse of office.

Authorities also moved against the Beylikdüzü municipality and the İmamoğlu construction firm, with a court ordering the detention of 12 suspects and the release of 15 under judicial control. Together, the investigations span at least five Turkish provinces and involve dozens of public officials and private actors accused of abusing municipal authority for personal gain.