Turkey Arrests Three Opposition Mayors Amid Corruption Investigation
In a sweeping crackdown, Turkish authorities detained three mayors from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) early Saturday, intensifying pressure on the party following its recent electoral successes. The arrests are part of a broader investigation into alleged bribery and fraud, a move the opposition calls a politically motivated operation.
Targeting Strongholds of the Opposition
The latest detainees include the mayors of Adana (Zeydan Karalar), Antalya (Muhittin Bocek), and Adiyaman (Abdurrahman Tutdere), key cities in southern and southeastern Turkey. These actions follow the March removal of Istanbul’s well-known opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, whose arrest sparked widespread protests, marking Turkey’s most significant street unrest since 2013.
Political Rivalry Intensifies Ahead of 2028
Ekrem Imamoglu, a leading figure of the CHP and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s chief political rival, has bolstered opposition momentum since their commanding victory in the 2024 local elections. His rising popularity is viewed as a threat to Erdogan’s administration, which has responded with intensified legal scrutiny of opposition officials.
Expanding Investigations and Arrests
This week, police detained 137 individuals in Izmir as part of a wide-ranging graft probe, with arrest warrants issued for another 157 people. The current inquiries stem from allegations involving tender rigging and bribery, with prosecutors linking the arrest of the Adana and Adiyaman mayors to cases opened by Istanbul’s public prosecutor.
Additionally, Ahmet Sahin, deputy mayor of Istanbul’s Buyukcekmece district, was arrested in connection with the same probe. Separately, the Antalya mayor and his son face allegations of bribery under investigation by local prosecutors.
Opposition Leaders Speak Out
As Zeydan Karalar was escorted to police custody, he remarked, “Where there is an influential journalist or politician, they silence them.” Expressing deep distrust in the justice system, Ankara’s opposition mayor Mansur Yavas condemned the arrests on social media, emphasizing the lack of impartiality in Turkey’s rule of law.
Calls to End Political Persecution
The pro-Kurdish Democratic Party (DEM), Turkey’s third-largest parliamentary faction, vehemently criticized the detentions. DEM co-president Tulay Hatimogullari warned that undermining elected officials only deepens societal divisions and hinders Turkey’s democratic path. Notably, DEM has collaborated with Erdogan’s government to facilitate peace talks with Kurdish groups, achieving a historic ceasefire earlier this year.
A Broader Wave of Legal Challenges
The recent arrests fit into a pattern of legal actions targeting CHP. Just days prior, an Ankara court commenced proceedings against CHP leader Ozgur Ozel over alleged vote-buying during the party’s 2023 leadership primary, a case that could overturn his election. Ozel rose to prominence through his leadership during Turkey’s March protests.
What This Means for Turkish Politics
These intensified efforts to detain opposition officials come amid a tense political climate, with Erdogan’s administration seeking to consolidate power and weaken rising opposition forces. As the 2028 presidential election approaches, the stakes have never been higher for both the government and opposition camps.
Amid claims of political vendettas, Turkey faces critical questions about the future of its democracy and the impartiality of its judicial system.
