08.07.2025 21:20
The Mayor of Manavgat, Antalya, Niyazi Nefi Kara, who was arrested in the operation involving 'bribery', 'embezzlement', and 'misappropriation', has been suspended from duty.
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'Bribery', 'extortion' and 'embezzlement' operations led to the arrest of Antalya Manavgat Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara, who has been suspended from duty.
MANAVGAT MAYOR ARRESTED
As part of an investigation initiated by the Manavgat Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding allegations of bribery related to hotel renovations, construction permits, and occupancy applications, Mayor Kara was brought to court. His interrogation at the prosecutor's office has been completed. Kara was arrested by the peace criminal court on charges of "bribery, extortion, and embezzlement."
SUSPENDED FROM DUTY
A new development has occurred regarding Kara. The Ministry of Interior announced that Kara has been suspended from duty. The ministry's statement included the following: "Due to the investigation conducted against Manavgat Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara for the crimes of 'Extortion, Bribery, and Embezzlement,' he has been suspended from duty as a temporary measure by the Ministry of Interior in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipal Law No. 5393, following the arrest decision of the Manavgat 1st Peace Criminal Court dated 08.07.2025 and inquiry number 2025/252. We respectfully announce this to the public."
WHAT HAPPENED?
Following the investigation initiated by the Manavgat Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding allegations of bribery related to hotel renovations, construction permits, and occupancy applications, a 4-month technical and physical surveillance was conducted on the suspects by the Provincial Police Department.
As part of the conducted work, it was alleged that bribes were requested through Mayor Kara's nephew H.C.G., and that permits were not granted without receiving bribes. Additionally, it was claimed that services or goods were procured through shell companies established via the Manavgat Municipality, its affiliated enterprises, and sports clubs, resulting in unjust profits through fake invoices, with suspects allegedly embezzling approximately 800 million lira in this manner.
In the operation conducted against the municipality, 34 people, including Mayor Kara and the deputy mayors, were taken into custody.
BRIBERY SCANDAL IN A BAKLAVA BOX
After the statements taken at the police station, municipal council member Mehmet Tosak and businessmen Mesut Kara, İlker Günay, Mehmet Ali Fansa, Kemal Taş, and Şükrü Ilgın were arrested yesterday. Following the statements of the suspects, 7 more people were taken into custody.
As part of the investigation, it was also revealed that images allegedly showing Deputy Mayor Mehmet Engin Tüter receiving a bribe of 110,000 Euros in a baklava box from a person named C.C. had emerged. A detention order was issued for Tüter today. Thus, the number of suspects arrested in the investigation along with Kara has risen to 8.
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