First indictment in Turkey's graft probe approved by public prosecutor’s office

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

The Istanbul Public Prosecutors’ Office has approved the first indictment in a corruption probe launched on Dec. 17, 2013, sending it to the 20th High Criminal Court.

The indictment, which was completed by Prosecutor Ekrem Aydıner against suspects detained in the investigation into Fatih Municipality, was sent to the deputy chief prosecutor tasked with criminal organizations early this morning.

The court has 15 days to either approve or reject the indictment.

The indictment covers 21 people, including Fatih Mayor Mustafa Demir and charges the suspects, among other things, with “taking and giving bribes, destroying and hiding official documents, and violating Law No. 2863.”

Istanbul prosecutors launched the huge graft probe in December, resulting in the resignation of four ministers from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. With the recent releases of five suspects, including the sons of two former ministers and prime suspect Iranian-born Azeri businessman Reza Zarrab, there are no more suspects under arrest in the investigation. Twenty-four people were arrested in the initial stages of the probe.