Turkey Cracks Down on Opposition: 4 Mayors Suspended, 85 Arrested in Sweeping Probes
Turkish authorities have suspended four mayors and arrested dozens of officials across multiple cities in a widening series of corruption and fund investigations targeting opposition-led municipalities.
Turkey's Interior Ministry has suspended four mayors and one acting mayor from their duties following their arrests, including Vahap Seçer, the mayor of Mersin, a major city [257128]. The move marks an escalation in a series of operations targeting opposition-held municipalities across the country.
In Mersin, a court ordered the arrest of three district mayors as part of an ongoing investigation. Seven other suspects were placed under house arrest, while one person was released with judicial control conditions. Judicial proceedings for 35 more individuals are still continuing at the courthouse [255606].
In the western city of Izmir, authorities detained 45 people on Tuesday, including former Bayraklı Mayor Serdar Sandal and Didem Gültekin, the district chair of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). The detentions mark the latest in a series of operations targeting opposition-led municipalities [255612].
Ankara prosecutors arrested Eyüpsultan Mayor Mithat Bülent Özmen and 12 others as part of an investigation into the district municipality. Four additional suspects were released under judicial control [255611].
In Istanbul, authorities issued arrest warrants for 19 people as part of an investigation into bribery and tender-rigging allegations against the Esenyurt Municipality [257127]. Separately, Turkish authorities launched a major operation at the Çeşme Municipality in Izmir province, though officials have not yet released details about the nature of the allegations or the number of people involved [257119].
Justice Minister Gürlek announced that 85 people have been arrested in a fund investigation, with another 220 individuals facing legal action. Gürlek said a voluntary return account has been opened at the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) to allow money held abroad to be returned to Turkey. The investigation targets funds sent overseas, and authorities have started a process to bring that money back [257598].
Additionally, a Turkish court convicted two municipal council members in the "City Consensus" case. Turabi Şen, a council member from Beyoğlu district, and Elif Gül, a council member from Sancaktepe district, were sentenced on charges of "membership in an organization" [257105].