Turkey Detains 13 in Ankara Municipality Corruption Probe

Turkish authorities have detained 13 individuals in connection with a corruption investigation involving 32 concerts organized by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, governed by the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), between 2021 and 2024. The investigation alleges abuse of public office and rigging of public tenders, resulting in financial losses estimated at 154.4 million Turkish lira ($3.7 million) according to reports from the Interior Ministry, Financial Crimes Investigation Board, and Court of Accounts. This probe is part of a broader series of corruption investigations targeting CHP-run municipalities, including high-profile cases such as the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The CHP denies the allegations, accusing Erdogan's government of politically motivated judicial actions to undermine the opposition, while the government maintains that the judiciary operates independently and is focused solely on tackling corruption. The CHP had made significant electoral gains in the 2024 local elections, retaining major cities like Ankara and Istanbul and expanding influence in traditionally AKP-dominated regions. The Ankara Municipal Inspection Board and Court of Auditors previously reported no irregularities in the events under investigation, adding complexity to the ongoing political and legal dispute.