Istanbul, Turkey — The recent arrests of mayors in several key cities reflect escalating tensions in Turkey’s political landscape. State-run media revealed that authorities detained the mayors of Adiyaman and Adana on Saturday morning. This comes on the heels of a broader crackdown on opposition figures, ignited by the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu earlier this year.
Abdurrahman Tutdere, the mayor of Adiyaman, and Zeydan Karalar, who oversees the Adana municipality, were taken into custody during early morning raids, according to Anadolu Agency. Both officials are affiliated with the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which has faced intensified scrutiny and a series of arrests amid allegations of corruption and organized crime. The mayor of Antalya, Muhittin Bocek, was also arrested in a separate bribery investigation.
The arrests are part of a broader investigation being conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office into serious allegations of organized crime, bid-rigging, and corruption. Reports suggest that evidence against the detained mayors originated from a businessman who turned state’s witness after being arrested for his own involvement in a criminal organization. According to prosecutors, the officials sought “unfair financial benefits” from companies doing business with their municipalities.
This wave of arrests comes at a time when opposition figures in Turkey have increasingly voiced concerns over selective justice. CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel quickly convened a leadership meeting following the arrests, underscoring the party’s alarm over the targeting of its members. Notably, Mansur Yavas, the mayor of Ankara, criticized the disparity in the treatment of opposition and ruling party officials, questioning why similar scrutiny had not been directed at municipalities led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party.
Imamoglu’s imprisonment sparked widespread protests earlier this year, marking the largest public outcry in over a decade against the backdrop of intensified repression of dissent. His ongoing status as a prominent opposition figure remains potent, complicating the political narrative as Turkey approaches a significant election cycle, set for 2028 but potentially sooner.
The arrests of Tutdere and Karalar are not isolated incidents. Recently, authorities detained numerous officials from CHP-controlled municipalities under similar allegations, indicating a systematic effort to dismantle opposition influence. Earlier this week, the former mayor of Izmir, along with a staggering 137 officials, was also detained in connection with alleged tender-rigging schemes, further fueling claims of politically motivated actions against the opposition.
Amid this tumultuous backdrop, the situation in Adiyaman has drawn particular attention, as it suffered significant devastation from the recent earthquake, which had previously been a stronghold for Erdogan’s party. The shift in political allegiances in the region illustrates the CHP’s growing influence amid a backdrop of societal challenges.
The socio-political climate in Turkey continues to evolve, reflecting deep divisions and the ruling government’s approach to dissent. As the country looks ahead to its next elections, the implications of these arrests and the treatment of opposition figures may profoundly affect the political landscape and public trust in the legal framework.