Turkish Mayor Muhittin Böcek Claims He Handed 950k Euros to Late Manisa Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek

Antalya Mayor Muhittin Böcek was detained on 5 July and later arrested, after prosecutors opened a graft investigation into the Antalya municipality. In a new statement to the prosecutor’s office, Böcek alleged that, on instruction from CHP leader Özgür Özel, he delivered roughly 950,000 euros to the late Manisa Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek in January 2024. He said he placed the cash in a bag on Zeyrek’s desk during a brief meeting in Manisa and did not know how the money was subsequently used.

Böcek also claimed he sent additional financial aid to other local officials and election campaigns at Özel’s direction, including covering expenses for the Tepebaşı mayoral campaign and providing vehicles and fuel to smaller districts.

The allegations provoked a strong response from Önder İnce, who managed Zeyrek’s election campaign, denying that Zeyrek financed himself and condemning the use of Zeyrek’s death to attack Özel. Media commentary has highlighted the circumstances of Zeyrek’s death – an apparent drowning in a swimming‑pool accident – and suggested a homicide investigation may be warranted.

The case forms part of a wider corruption probe that has resulted in several Antalya municipal officials being arrested or placed under judicial control.