15 arrested in Mersin corruption case

MERSİN – Doğan News Agency

Fifteen suspects in a corruption probe into former officials at Mersin Metropolitan Municipality have been arrested, including the son of the former mayor from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), Macit Özcan, as well as two of the latter’s brothers.

A court in the southern province of Mersin issued arrest warrants for İlker Özcan, the former mayor’s son, and the ex-mayor’s two brothers, Tacit and Sacit Özcan, on March 27. The other top administrators in the municipality, including the former head of the technical works department, Abbas Sayılır, were also arrested in the corruption case.

In addition, the court also sentenced 13 suspects in absentia, including Macit Özcan and two building contractors, Cengiz Akray and Erol Avgören. Özcan is still being sought by police, as he has not been found at his known addresses.

Meanwhile, at least 20 suspects were released pending trial in an alleged bid-rigging case against the municipality.

Executives who worked at the municipality between 2011 and 2014 have been accused of bid-rigging, bribery and embezzlement.

The Mersin Police Department launched the operation in the early hours of March 24. Some 40 suspects, including İlker, Sacit and Tacit Özcan, were detained in the operation.