Türkiye orders detention of 36 suspects in opposition-led district bribery probe

Türkiye orders detention of 36 suspects in opposition-led district bribery probe
A Turkish flag is pictured on a boat with the Ortakoy Mosque in the background in İstanbul, Türkiye, 5 September, 2021.
Reuters

Turkish prosecutors have ordered the detention of 36 people, including the mayor of an Ankara district controlled by the main opposition, over alleged bribery and tender-rigging.

The Ankara chief prosecutor’s office announced the move on Saturday as part of an ongoing investigation.

Authorities have detained 27 of the suspects as searches continued for the others, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Huseyin Can Guner, mayor of Ankara's Cankaya district and a representative of the Republican People's Party, said on X that he informed authorities of his location.

He added that he provided a spare key to his home for officers carrying out a search while he was travelling to Ankara.  

"Since taking office, we have managed this institution in the best possible way and have not engaged in the slightest conduct that would embarrass anyone who has placed their trust in us," Guner said.

The operation follows a series of investigations into municipalities run by the CHP. The government says the judiciary is independent. The CHP rejects the allegations and says the investigations are politically motivated.

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