Turkey arrests 42 officials in Buca municipal corruption probe

In a large corruption investigation targeting Buca municipality and its subsidiaries, a Turkish court ordered the detention of 42 people on 1 June. Among those arrested were Buca mayor Görkem Duman, former mayor Erhan Kılıç and former CHP district chair Çağdaş Kaya. Twelve others were released under judicial control.

The operation, coordinated by the İzmir Public Prosecutor’s Office and the İzmir Police’s Financial Crimes Unit, was carried out simultaneously in four cities. Prosecutors allege embezzlement, bribery and participation in an organized criminal group involving municipal officials, party operatives and contractors. The detained individuals denied the accusations during court‑room statements, asserting that they are not members of any illegal organization.

The case underscores ongoing scrutiny of local government finances in Turkey and may have broader political repercussions for the ruling and opposition parties.