Mayor of Ankara district jailed pending graft trial
Ankara’s Etimesgut Mayor Erdal Beşikçioğlu was arrested on Aug. 3 pending trial as part of a sweeping corruption investigation targeting municipal officials, becoming the latest official from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) to face judicial action.
Beşikçioğlu was among 55 suspects brought before a court on Aug. 2 after being detained on July 30. Prosecutors sought the arrest of 44 suspects and an on-duty magistrate ordered the detention of Beşikçioğlu and 40 others early on Aug. 3.
The Interior Ministry said the investigation centers on allegations including the establishment of and membership in a criminal organization, embezzlement, bribery, extortion, bid rigging, interference in the execution of public contracts and abuse of office.
In his police testimony, Beşikçioğlu denied all allegations.
