Turkey detains former TV star-turned-mayor in fresh crackdown on opposition

Erdal Besikcioglu, mayor of Etimesgut Municipality in western Ankara, is being investigated for allegations of irregularities and forgery in municipal tenders

Turkish police detained the opposition mayor of Ankara’s Etimesgut district and 51 other suspects on Thursday in a graft investigation, the Interior Ministry said.

Detention warrants were issued for a total 55 suspects, including 18 company officials, the ministry said. Three suspects were still being sought.

Police have detained a former TV actor-turned-mayor in the latest wave of arrests targeting the opposition

Police have detained a former TV actor-turned-mayor in the latest wave of arrests targeting the opposition

Turkish police detain actor-turned-mayor Erdal Besikcioglu in latest raids targeting opposition  AP News

The opposition has rejected a wave of accusations since 2024 and says the investigations are politically motivated. The government says the judiciary is independent.

ANKARA, July 30 - Turkish police detained the opposition mayor of Ankara's Etimesgut district and 51 other suspects on Thursday in a graft investigation, the Interior Ministry said.

Turkey detained a rising opposition mayor who wrested control of one of Istanbul’s most symbolically important conservative districts, widening a crackdown that has already reshaped the country’s political landscape.

ISTANBUL, July 29 (Reuters) - Turkish authorities detained an opposition Istanbul district mayor and five others on Wednesday over alleged irregularities in building and occupancy permits, broadcaster NTV reported. • Latest step in unprecedented legal crackdown on municipalities run by the main party opposing President