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Authorities detained 17 suspects in an expanded bribery investigation targeting Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, as prosecutors seek court-appointed administrators for businesses allegedly used to launder corruption proceeds.
The Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office conducted simultaneous raids at predetermined addresses during morning hours, with Provincial Police Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime teams carrying out the operations.
Prosecutors allege that four contractors who received tenders from Antalya Metropolitan Municipality—identified as A.A., B.C., M.Y., and Y.Y.—paid ₺195 million ($4.79M) in bribes to Mayor Muhittin Bocek and his son, Mustafa Gokhan Bocek, to secure progress payments.
According to technical investigations included in the case file, the money was deposited into a currency exchange office account, with some delivered by hand. Authorities say the funds were converted to gold through jewelers connected to the exchange office and stored in safes.
The suspects allegedly disguised the money transfers as foreign currency trading and scrap gold sales.
Investigators claim portions of money transferred to jewelry accounts were used to purchase luxury vehicles. The vehicles were initially registered under different names, with payments made from the license holders' accounts, according to allegations in the investigation file.
The Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested court-appointed administrators for one currency exchange office and two jewelry businesses, based on account movements related to money transfers, suspect confessions, and other evidence in the investigation file.
The bribery investigation previously resulted in multiple arrests. Mayor Muhittin Bocek and his former daughter-in-law Z.K. were detained on July 5, while son Mustafa Gokhan Bocek was determined to be abroad.
Muhittin Bocek was arrested after being sent to court the same day, while Z.K. was released under judicial control with a travel ban. Following the arrest decision, the Interior Ministry removed Bocek from office.
During continued investigations, Metropolitan Municipality Deputy General Secretary Serkan Temucin and Urban Aesthetics Department Director Tuncay Kaya were arrested on charges of "extortion," while information technology support worker Halil K. was released under judicial control and house arrest.
Muhittin Bocek's daughter-in-law, Zuhal Bocek, who had returned from abroad, was caught at the airport on July 27 on allegations of "laundering proceeds from crime." Other suspects, H.A., K.A., and B.C., were detained the following day.
When sent to court, Zuhal Bocek was arrested, while the others were released after the prosecutor's questioning.
Searches at suspects' addresses and workplaces have been completed as the investigation continues.
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