Turkish court orders Milas mayor and son to detention in corruption probe
A court in Turkey ordered Milas Mayor Fevzi Topuz and his son Doruk Topuz to be jailed while a corruption investigation proceeds.
A Turkish court ordered the pre-trial imprisonment of Milas Mayor Fevzi Topuz and his son Doruk Topuz amid a corruption investigation targeting alleged bribery, bid rigging, forgery, fraud and links to a criminal organization. The mayor, a member of the opposition Republican People’s Party, was detained on October 20 following coordinated raids across 13 provinces after prosecutors sought detention for 35 suspects. Authorities claim the municipality issued falsified certificates that allowed firms to qualify for state contracts.
In total, 18 individuals were jailed, two were placed under house arrest and 15 were released under judicial supervision. The case adds to a series of legal actions against opposition-run municipalities since the March 2024 local elections, during which the CHP won major cities and many elected mayors have faced arrests or suspensions. Opposition parties argue the prosecutions aim to overturn electoral gains.
Why it matters
The detention highlights the ongoing legal pressure on opposition officials in Turkey, raising concerns about political freedom and local governance.
How this story developed
- Oct 9 Turkey seeks to calm tensions with Azerbaijan over school headscarf restrictions
- Oct 13 Heavy rain inundated Istanbul, flooding homes and streets, killing a teenager in Fatih and a 34-year-old in Sariyer.
- Oct 15 Turkey mobilised over 55,000 emergency personnel to assist with flood relief.
- Oct 18 Azerbaijan’s parliament accused hostile forces of hybrid attacks following a cyber‑attack on state domains.
- Oct 19 Government payments to flood‑affected households have begun.
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