Adalar District Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat Arrested in Bribery Probe

The Istanbul Anatolian Public Prosecutor's Office launched a large‑scale investigation into alleged bribery and irregularities at the Adalar municipal office. The probe targets the issuance of construction permits and licences in the district’s historic and archaeological sites, with accusations that officials accepted cash in exchange for approvals, falsified documents, and facilitated illegal building activities through linked architects.

Coordinated raids were carried out in four provinces, covering 90 addresses. Police detained 41 suspects, including Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat and several deputy mayors and municipal staff. Authorities seized digital material and documents related to the alleged scheme. The municipality has denied that an “operation” took place, stating that only routine document requests were made, but the prosecution has issued arrest warrants for the 47 individuals identified in the case.