Bursa mayor detained in corruption probe

BURSA

An operation on March 31 resulted in the detention of Bursa Mayor Mustafa Bozbey on the charges of bribery in the northwestern province, in the latest crackdown targeting municipalities run by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

Bozbey faces allegations of “money laundering stemming from criminal activity” and “establishing or being a member of an organization” related to his tenure as mayor of Bursa’s Nilüfer district from 1999 to 2019.

Among the 55 people detained in connection with the investigation are Bozbey’s wife, daughter and two siblings.

The Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office claimed irregularities in certain construction projects in the Nilüfer district. Authorities alleged that financial gains were obtained in exchange for granting zoning bonuses.

Bozbey, detained in a dawn raid, conveyed a message through senior CHP official Yücel Akbulut, insisting that the manner of his detention was unjust. “They could have summoned me; I would have come,” he said.

He added, “This clearly has a political dimension. I believe it concerns allegations from 10–15 years ago. I served four terms at the Nilüfer Municipality and no one ever accused me in this way.”

The Bursa operation is the latest in a series of investigations targeting CHP mayors over the past year. Several opposition municipal leaders, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, are currently facing detention or trial.

While the CHP maintains that these actions are politically motivated efforts to suppress opposition, the government denies any political intent. Meanwhile, İmamoğlu’s ongoing corruption trial continues, with a court decision expected later this week.