CHP officials' relatives detained in Izmir corruption probe

Turkish authorities carried out simultaneous raids in Izmir, Istanbul, Adana and Aydın, detaining 26 people in a corruption investigation that prosecutors say uncovered an illegal "candidate market" ahead of local elections. The probe links massive cash transfers to CHP MP Veli Ağbaba, with funds routed through relatives of Balçova mayor Onur Yiğit, Güzelbahçe mayor Mustafa Günay’s wife, and council member Doğuş Bayır.

Doğuş Bayır, son of former İzmir MP Tacettin Bayır, was taken into custody; his father denounced the detention as a political plot, saying the aid collected for earthquake victims was being framed as a crime. Ali Yiğit, father of Balçova mayor Onur Yiğit, also objected to labeling the 500 000 TL transfer to Ağbaba’s adviser as a bribe, calling it a personal aid payment.

A journalist arrested in the operation confessed to facilitating a 6 million TL bribe for construction permits, further linking the network to illegal financing of candidate nominations. The investigation file on Ağbaba is being forwarded to the Ankara prosecutor’s office for a formal indictment.