Politics · Turkey · 1 hr ago
44 people, including Çukurova mayor, detained in corruption probe
Authorities in Adana, Turkey, detained 44 people in a probe into Çukurova Municipality.
Those detained include current mayor Emrah Kozay and former mayor Soner Çetin.
Prosecutors are investigating alleged irregularities in contracts and payments, including claims of bribery and salaries paid to staff who did not go to work.
The investigation also concerns purchases made through a company linked to the municipality and alleged misuse of an exception in public procurement rules.
A total of 51 people face arrest warrants, and authorities are still seeking the other seven.
Kozay left the CHP in August and joined the Yeni Parti; the party has called the operation political, while the allegations remain under investigation.
Gendarmerie teams searched Çukurova Municipality in Adana on 19 October as part of a corruption investigation.
Authorities said 44 people were detained out of 51 people for whom arrest warrants had been issued.
Those detained include current mayor Emrah Kozay, former mayor Soner Çetin and four serving deputy mayors.
The investigation concerns alleged irregularities in municipal tenders, direct procurements and progress payments, as well as alleged bribery and payments to staff who did not attend work.
Seven people with warrants remained sought, according to the reports.
- Who
- Gendarmerie teams carried out the operation. Those detained include Mayor Emrah Kozay and former mayor Soner Çetin.
- What
- Teams searched the municipality and other addresses; 44 people were detained in an investigation into alleged corruption.
- When
- 19 October 2026. The operation took place in the morning.
- Where
- Çukurova Municipality and other addresses in Adana.
- Why
- Prosecutors are investigating alleged irregularities in tenders, direct procurements and progress payments, along with alleged bribery and staff being paid despite not attending work.
New Party critics
Prosecutors
Political character of the operation
New Party critics
New Party Adana MP Burhanettin Bulut said the operation disregarded Çukurova’s democratic will through pressure and judicially conducted political operations.
Prosecutors
Prosecutors said the operation was part of an investigation into alleged offences involving municipal procurement, payments and staffing.
Municipal tender and direct procurement documents from these years were examined by a three-member expert panel.
Gendarmerie teams searched the municipality building and multiple addresses in Adana.
Authorities reported that 44 of the 51 people named in arrest warrants had been detained; efforts to find the other seven continued.
- Detained
- 44 people
- Warrants
- 51 people
- Current mayor
- Emrah Kozay
- Former mayor
- Soner Çetin
- Location
- Çukurova Municipality, Adana
- Still sought
- 7 people
6 sources
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What people are saying
Çukurova's will cannot be disregarded through pressure, detentions and political operations conducted through the judiciary.