23.10.2026 07:11
In an operation conducted in 4 provinces centered on Mersin, 39 suspects were caught as part of an investigation alleging that 36 million 244 thousand TL in public loss was caused and 8 million 749 thousand TL in bribes was received at Vocational Education Centers (MESEM). Twenty-two of the suspects, who included former principals and vice principals of some MESEM schools, were arrested.
Under the coordination of the Mersin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, teams from the Provincial Police Department's Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch conducted work regarding "aggravated fraud and bribery" crimes targeting MESEMs.
36 MILLION LIRAS IN PUBLIC LOSS
In the teams' work, 45 interconnected individuals were identified, with claims that alleged crimes at some MESEM schools caused 36 million 244 thousand 715 TL in public loss and that 8 million 749 thousand TL, 2 laptops, and 2 color printers were received as bribes. In ongoing work, it was determined that 1 of the 45 suspects had recently died and 2 had been imprisoned for different crimes.
FORMER SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ALSO CAUGHT
A simultaneous operation was carried out in central Mersin and Silifke district, as well as in Adana, Izmir, and Istanbul, to catch the other 42 suspects. In the operation, 39 suspects were caught, including some former principals and assistant principals of MESEM schools in Mersin and Silifke.
22 PEOPLE ARRESTED
The caught suspects were taken to the police station for legal procedures, and after their statements were taken, they were referred to the courthouse. Of the suspects brought before the on-duty court, 22 were arrested and sent to prison for the crimes attributed to them. The other suspects were released pending trial under judicial control and without detention.
It was reported that the investigation regarding the operation is ongoing.