31.03.2026 12:23
An explanation has come from Mustafa Bozbey, the Mayor of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, who was detained along with his wife Seden Bozbey and daughter Side Bozbey Gürer. Bozbey stated, "What has been done to the people of Bursa is not right. I take pride in loving Bursa and its people very much and serving them. My struggle is for the future, bread, and prosperity of Bursa!"
Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, along with his wife Seden Bozbey and daughter Side Bozbey Gürer, among 55 suspects, was detained as part of an investigation into "establishing and managing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes, being a member of an organization established for the purpose of committing crimes, bribery, laundering assets derived from crime, and causing urban pollution."
FIRST STATEMENT FROM BOZBEY IN CUSTODY
Bozbey stated in a post on his social media account, “What has been done to the people of Bursa is not right. I take pride in loving Bursa and the people of Bursa very much and serving them. I take pride in walking the path shown by our eternal leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. My struggle is for the future, bread, and abundance of Bursa.” Bozbey also shared a photo with his wife Seden Bozbey in his post.
ACCUSATION
In a statement from the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was noted that within the scope of the investigation, it was determined that during the time of the mayors of Nilüfer, Mustafa Bozbey and Turgay Erdem, along with some municipal employees, they provided financial benefits to themselves and project owners by making irregular increases in construction projects in exchange for bribes.
51 RESIDENCES, 23 COMPANIES, AND 1 FOUNDATION SEIZED
The statement recorded the following:
"Upon the instruction of our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, simultaneous operations were carried out in a total of 5 provinces centered in Bursa by the Smuggling and Organized Crime Department of the Bursa Provincial Police Department on March 31, 2026, targeting a total of 59 suspects, including Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, who is in a position as the leader of the criminal organization, and former Nilüfer Municipality Mayor Turgay Erdem (who is detained). It was reported that 55 suspects were captured and detained, searches and seizures were conducted at 51 residences, 23 companies/business places, and 1 foundation address belonging to the suspects, as well as vehicles used by the suspects, and that efforts to capture 4 fugitives are ongoing. It was announced that the investigation is being conducted meticulously by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, and information will be provided to the public regarding the progress and outcome of the investigation."