Turkish authorities have detained 48 people, including Hasan Mutlu, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) mayor of Istanbul’s Bayrampaşa district, as part of a wide-ranging corruption investigation. Early morning raids were conducted at 72 locations, targeting embezzlement, bribery, and tender-rigging, Reuters reported.
Mutlu denied the allegations, describing the probe as politically motivated. This action is part of a broader, year-long crackdown on the CHP, which has already seen hundreds of party members arrested.
A court ruling expected on Monday could further impact the party’s leadership, raising concerns about the balance between democratic institutions and centralized power in Turkey, according to Reuters.
