New Developments Unfold in Bribery and Corruption Investigation at Manavgat Municipality
Manavgat Mayor Faces Serious Charges in Corruption Scandal
Manavgat Mayor Indicted with Multiple Criminal Charges
A comprehensive indictment prepared by the Manavgat Public Prosecutor’s Office accuses suspended Manavgat Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara of 32 different criminal offenses. The charges include “establishing a criminal organization,” “accepting bribes,” “embezzlement,” “concealing the illicit origins of assets,” “forfeiture of earnings,” and “extortion under duress.” Kara is identified as the “leader” of this organization, with nine detained individuals also noted as managers within this alleged structure. The prosecution emphasized that the evidence collected reveals an organized criminal operation.
Bribes Hidden in Baklava Boxes Spark Investigation
The investigation commenced in April 2025, following a tip-off. During a detailed operation, police caught Deputy Mayor Engin Tüter accepting a bribe of 110,000 Euros, cleverly hidden in a baklava box, within his office. This led to a wider operation resulting in the detention of Mayor Kara, multiple municipal officials, employees, and business figures.
Additionally, searches conducted later, based on a statement from Kara’s nephew, Hüseyin Cem Gül, who cooperated with investigators by expressing regret, unveiled hidden assets in a warehouse. Authorities discovered 3 kilograms of gold bars, 500,000 Euros, and $153,160 in cash.
Key Evidence in the Indictment
The indictment, accepted by the Manavgat 3rd High Criminal Court, includes a wealth of evidence such as suspect statements, bank account transactions, a report from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), expert examinations, fake invoices, land registry records, and call data records (CDRs). Statements from some defendants, seeking leniency, were crucial in advancing the investigation. Individuals such as Deputy Mayor Engin Tüter, Kara’s nephew, and several businessmen have confessed to the intricate details of the crimes.
Upcoming Trial Gathers Public Interest
With the indictment accepted by the court, the corruption and bribery case involving Manavgat Municipality is set to commence in the coming days. The trial will see 41 defendants, including 11 held in custody, with the public and media expected to closely monitor the proceedings. The significant nature of these developments in Manavgat has caught widespread attention within the community and beyond.
Source: Emegypt
