Turkish Crackdown Intensifies: Antalya, Adana, Adıyaman Mayors Detained in Sweeping Probes

In a significant escalation of ongoing operations targeting opposition-led municipalities, the mayors of Antalya, Adana, and Adıyaman were detained on Saturday morning, July 5th. Adana Mayor Zeydan Karalar and Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere were initially taken into custody, with Antalya Mayor Muhittin Böcek’s detention confirmed shortly after by CHP Deputy Chairman Burhanettin Bulut.

The detentions drew immediate condemnation from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). CHP Deputy Chairman Burhanettin Bulut criticized the actions, stating, “Those who use the judiciary as a stick for political revenge do not care about the law, but about protecting their own power. We will never submit to this dirty system that strikes a blow to the will of the nation.” Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere confirmed his detention via social media, stating he was taken from his Ankara home and transported to Istanbul.

Authorities reportedly executed a raid on the Adana municipality building concurrently with Mayor Karalar’s detention. These latest arrests stem from an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office into an alleged “criminal organisation,” which has also seen arrest warrants issued for 10 individuals, including the detained mayors.

The crackdown follows a series of high-profile detentions targeting CHP officials across Turkey. Earlier this week, on July 1st, raids on the Izmir municipality building led to 138 detentions, including Mayor Tunç Soyer. Further arrests in Izmir, totaling 35 individuals, occurred on July 4th, the same day an investigation was launched against Antalya and Manavgat provinces, resulting in warrants for 36 people, including Manavgat Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara.

This widespread legal process against CHP municipalities began with the detention and subsequent arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in March, widely seen as a political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Erdoğan has publicly supported these operations, citing allegations of widespread corruption not only in Istanbul but also in other provinces, and emphasizing the need for urgent sweeps to combat it.

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