08.07.2025 12:10
In the investigation of the Manavgat Municipality, the statement of Deputy Mayor Mehmet Engin Tüter, who was recorded by cameras receiving a bribe in a baklava box, has emerged. Tüter admitted to receiving 110,000 Euros as a commission, claiming that the money was between two businessmen and asserting that he did not receive the money on behalf of the municipality.
Following the investigation initiated by the Manavgat Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the allegations of bribery related to hotel renovations, construction permits, and occupancy applications, a 4-month technical and physical surveillance was conducted on the suspects as part of the work carried out by the Provincial Police Department.
Within the scope of the conducted work, it was claimed that bribes were requested through the nephew of Mayor Kara, H.C.G., and that permits were not granted without receiving bribes. Additionally, it was alleged that services or goods were procured through shell companies established via the Manavgat Municipality, its affiliated enterprises, and sports clubs, and that unfair benefits were obtained through fake invoices, with the suspects reportedly transferring approximately 800 million lira to themselves in this way.
In the operation carried out against the municipality, 34 people, including Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara and the deputy mayors, were taken into custody.
110 THOUSAND EUROS FOUND IN A BAKLAVA BOX
As part of the investigation, footage also emerged showing Deputy Mayor Mehmet Engin Tüter receiving a bribe from a person named C.C. The complainant C.C. reported to the police after being asked for a bribe for a permit, and after the tip-off, he went to Mehmet Engin Tüter's office with marked money in coordination with the police teams to deliver the bribe. Subsequently, the police conducted a raid.
"I DIDN'T OPEN IT"
During the raid, when asked by the teams about what was in the bag in the room, Mehmet Engin Tüter said, "My friend came from abroad. He brought alcohol and chocolate." After the police asked him to open the baklava box in the bag, it was seen that euros came out of the baklava box. When the police asked, "Did you receive this as baklava? What are these?" Tüter initially did not respond, then said, "My friend said he brought a gift, he left it and went. I didn't open it. I don't know."
6 PEOPLE ARRESTED
Of the 34 people taken into custody during the operation, 6 whose procedures were completed at the police station were referred to the Manavgat Courthouse. After the prosecutor's statements, municipal council member Mehmet Tosak and businessmen Mesut Kara, İlker Günay, Mehmet Ali Fansa, Kemal Taş, and Şükrü Ilgın were referred to the duty magistrate for their arrest. The Peace Criminal Court decided to arrest municipal council member Mehmet Tosak for "embezzlement," Mesut Kara for "receiving bribes," İlker Günay for "embezzlement," Mehmet Ali Fansa for "extortion," and Kemal Taş and Şükrü Ilgın for "giving bribes."
ADMITTED TO RECEIVING THE MONEY
Mehmet Engin Tüter, the Deputy Mayor of Manavgat, who was caught red-handed receiving a bribe in the baklava box, was reached for his first statement at the prosecutor's office. According to the statement reported by TRT News, Deputy Mayor Mehmet Engin Tüter admitted to receiving 110 thousand euros but claimed that the thousands of euros he received in his office were between two businessmen and that he did not receive them on behalf of the municipality. He argued that this amount was a commission. He also denied the allegations related to the thousands of euros documented by MASAK reports, HTS records, and bank transfers regarding the "bribery ring."
NUMBER OF ARRESTS RISES TO 41
After Deputy Mayor Mehmet Engin Tüter was caught red-handed receiving a bribe in the baklava box, the investigation deepened. Following the questioning of the individuals in custody, new arrest warrants were issued. Of the 34 people who were given arrest warrants in the first operation, 28 were captured. After the confession of Mehmet Engin Tüter, the number of arrest warrants increased from 34 to 41. Of these, 37 were taken into custody.
BRIBERY IN WHATSAPP MESSAGES
The bribery allegations were also reflected in the messages in the WhatsApp group involving tourism professionals operating in the region. According to the claim of tourism professional Zafer Süral, tourism professionals in Manavgat were extorted by the municipality. Süral alleged that he and other tourism professionals were fined 250 million lira each by the municipality for refusing to pay bribes. It was claimed that this situation was also used to intimidate other tourism professionals.