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Turkish authorities detained 37 suspects, including Bayrampasa Mayor Hasan Mutlu, in a corruption investigation targeting the Istanbul district municipality for alleged bribery, extortion, fraud and bid rigging on Saturday.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched the investigation into Bayrampasa Municipality on charges of extortion, bribery, aggravated fraud and bid rigging, with arrest warrants issued for 48 suspects in total.
The Istanbul Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit conducted simultaneous raids, detaining Mayor Mutlu along with Deputy Mayors Atilla Ozen, Hakan Bas, Lutfi Kadiogullari and Gunduz Kalkan, as well as Legal Affairs Director Bilgehan Yagci.
Police operations to locate and arrest the remaining 11 suspects at their addresses are ongoing, according to authorities.
The prosecutor's office statement indicated that evidence had been gathered against municipal employees and other individuals on charges of "embezzlement, extortion, giving bribes, receiving bribes and bid rigging."
Law enforcement teams are conducting searches at 72 locations, including Bayrampasa Municipality offices, business addresses and residences belonging to the suspects.
The detained suspects underwent health checks before being transferred to Istanbul Police Headquarters on Vatan Avenue for processing.
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