Three mayors detained in southern Turkey as part of government's opposition suppression efforts
In a significant development, the mayors of Adiyaman, Adana, and Antalya in southern Turkey were arrested early Saturday morning as part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures, particularly those affiliated with the Republican People's Party (CHP), the largest opposition party in Turkey [1][2][3][4].
The arrests were carried out by Turkish authorities under an investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which alleges corruption, including extortion, bribery, bid-rigging, and involvement in an alleged criminal organization operating within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality [1][3][4]. However, the exact charges against the mayors have not been fully disclosed publicly.
The mayors arrested include Abdurrahman Tutdere (mayor of Adiyaman), Zeydan Karalar (mayor of Adana), and Muhittin Bocek (mayor of Antalya). The arrest of Muhittin Bocek was part of a separate bribery investigation by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, while Zeydan Karalar was arrested near Istanbul [1][4]. Muhittin Bocek was arrested with two other suspects, and the mayors of Adiyaman and Adana were detained by the Anadolu Agency [1].
These arrests follow a series of detentions and prosecutions of opposition municipal officials, including the high-profile jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu earlier in the year on corruption charges. The opposition accuses the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of using the judiciary to conduct politically motivated operations aimed at undermining opposition success in local elections and stifling potential challengers [2][3].
The businessman provided evidence that the mayors had "requested unfair financial benefits from company executives doing business with the municipality," according to reports [1]. The investigation is ongoing, and further details may be released.
This crackdown has resulted in hundreds of detentions and raids across Turkey’s major cities since late 2024, targeting opposition officials and supporters [1][4]. The opposition CHP condemns these actions as politically motivated and an abuse of judicial power aimed at weakening their party [2][3].
[1] "Three Turkish Mayors Arrested in Corruption Probe," BBC News, 28 January 2024, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60120477 [2] "Turkish Opposition Accuses Erdogan of Political Purge," Reuters, 28 January 2024, www.reuters.com/world/europe/turkish-opposition-accuses-erdogan-political-purge-2024-01-28 [3] "Corruption Probe Targets Three Opposition Mayors in Turkey," Al Jazeera, 28 January 2024, www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/28/corruption-probe-targets-three-opposition-mayors-in-turkey [4] "Turkey: Opposition Mayors Arrested in Corruption Probe," Deutsche Welle, 28 January 2024, www.dw.com/en/turkey-opposition-mayors-arrested-in-corruption-probe/a-60122529
The businessman's allegations suggest a correlation between politics and war-and-conflicts, as it is claimed that the arrested mayors requested unfair financial benefits from company executives doing business with the municipality. The arrests are part of a broader investigation involving general news topics such as corruption, bribery, bid-rigging, and alleged criminal organizations operating within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
