Turkish authorities have arrested 53 people during a raid on opposition-led local council in Buca, a district of the coastal city of İzmir, the Anadolu state news agency reported on Monday.
Among those arrested are the incumbent mayor of Buca, Görkem Duman, of Turkey's largest opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP). Former mayor Erhan Kılıç was also arrested.
According to the İzmir public prosecutor’s office, arrest warrants have been issued for a total of 62 suspects as part of the investigation. CHP lawmaker Deniz Yücel described the arrests as "a form of punishment" for the party's success in the recent local elections, according to the Cumhuriyet (Republic) daily.
The allegations directed against the city administration, the building authorities and several municipal holding companies include bribery in the granting of building permits and the use of credit cards belonging to municipal holding companies for private expenditure, according to Anadolu.
The CHP has been put under increasing pressure since its surprise success in the 2024 local elections.
Most recently, the mayor of the Güzelbahçe district in the city of İzmir was remanded in custody. In that case also, allegations of irregularities in the construction industry were cited, the DHA news agency reported.
The opposition party sees itself as the victim of a politically motivated campaign by the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Erdoğan lost control of several key municipalities in the local elections. Proceedings are currently under way against Istanbul’s mayor and Erdoğan’s rival Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested and removed from office in March 2025 after being charged with corruption and espionage.
