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Widespread municipal corruption investigations in Turkey

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2026-10-07 17:08 UTC → 2026-10-07 20:08 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The investigation into municipal corruption in Turkey has expanded, resulting in the arrest and removal of several prominent leaders. In Mersin, authorities are investigating the Metropolitan, Yenişehir, and Mezitli municipalities. This has led to the arrests of Mayors Vahap Seçer, Abdullah Özyiğit, and Ahmet Serkan Tuncer, following allegations of irregularities in 13 direct procurement and tender files with an estimated public loss of 1.446 billion lira. In Istanbul, Eyüpsultan Mayor Mithat Bülent Özmen and Ataşehir Deputy Mayor Murat Güneş have been arrested and removed from their duties. Charges include “membership in a criminal organization,” “receiving bribes,” and “rigging tenders for public institutions or organizations.” Following these arrests, local municipal councils in Eyüpsultan and Ataşehir are scheduled to meet to elect new deputy mayors to fill the vacancies. In Izmir, an operation targeting Bayraklı Municipality and its subsidiary, BAYBEL A.Ş., has resulted in the detention of 45 suspects, including former Mayor Serdar Sandal, over allegations of bribery and tender fraud. The Ministry of Interior has implemented these removals as temporary measures under the Municipal Law. In response, political figures from the CHP have criticized the operations, characterizing them as “political interference” and an “assault on the will of the voters.” Recent developments in Mersin indicate the probe led by the Mersin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office now involves approximately 60 suspects. While 16 individuals, including the mayors of Yenişehir and Mezitli, have been formally arrested, dozens of others remain under judicial control or are undergoing legal proceedings.

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