30.04.2026 10:23
Within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Muhittin Böcek's daughter-in-law Zuhal Böcek was detained. This morning, at the same hours in Antalya, a detention decision was made for 34 people in an operation targeting the metropolitan municipality affiliate ANSET.
The corruption investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) for the crimes of "being a leader of a criminal organization," "being a member of a criminal organization," "embezzlement," "bribery," "qualified fraud," "unlawfully obtaining personal data," and "bid rigging" continues.
MUHİTTİN BÖCEK'S DAUGHTER-IN-LAW TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
Within the scope of the investigation, a detention order was issued for 3 suspects, including Zuhal Böcek, the daughter-in-law of Muhittin Böcek, who was removed from his position as the Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and is currently under arrest. Accordingly, Zuhal Böcek and one suspect were taken into custody. Search efforts for the other suspect are ongoing.
As part of the same investigation, Muhittin Böcek's chief advisor, two personnel working at the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, and two drivers had been arrested.
DETENTION ORDER FOR 34 PEOPLE IN ANTALYA
Within the framework of the investigation conducted by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a detention order was issued for 34 individuals in an operation targeting ANSET, a subsidiary of the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. Among those subject to the detention order was Muhittin Böcek, who was removed from his position as Metropolitan Mayor and arrested.
ZUHAL BÖCEK HAD REVEALED EVERYTHING
In the indictment completed as part of the 'bribery' and 'corruption' investigation against the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, Muhittin Böcek's daughter-in-law, Zuhal Böcek, was listed as the fourth suspect. She described the relationships of her husband, Mustafa Gökhan Böcek, with individuals and companies doing business with the municipality, as well as the assets and money flows allegedly obtained through these relationships.
Within the scope of the investigation, it was stated that 7 million 499 thousand Turkish liras in Zuhal Böcek's account, considered to have been obtained from the crime of embezzlement, was held in a time deposit account, and with interest income, the amount reached 10 million 748 thousand 660 liras. It was reported that a luxury watch seized from Zuhal Böcek was purchased with cash for 11,550 euros from a store in Antalya on April 19, 2025, but no cash withdrawal close to this amount was found in bank records.
The indictment also included an analysis of WhatsApp messages between Zuhal Böcek and Mustafa Gökhan Böcek from February 27, 2025, to July 5, 2025. In the messages, attention was drawn to Zuhal Böcek's statements such as 'Explain the 75 million you laundered to Zeynep.'
INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS RAISED
Meanwhile, a much-discussed allegation regarding Muhittin Böcek had come to light. Some private images allegedly belonging to Böcek and his family were circulated on social media. An investigation was launched into the dissemination of these images.
FIRST STATEMENT FROM THE BÖCEK FAMILY
Muhittin Böcek's son, Gökhan Böcek, and his daughter-in-law, Zuhal Böcek, made a joint statement, saying:
"Since July 5, 2025, baseless allegations have been made against our family, and false and slanderous posts have been shared. Until today, we chose to remain silent to protect our family peace, our children, and our private lives. However, at this point, these vile statements have exceeded the limits of tolerance.
These posts targeting a family, a mother, our 10-year-old daughter, and our infant child are incompatible with humanity, conscience, and our traditions and customs. No political agenda, personal ambition, or benefit can justify such degradation of children and a mother.
'SMEAR CAMPAIGN'
We are a family. Like every family, our peace, privacy, and children's future are most valuable to us. The purpose of this smear campaign targeting our family is clear: to discredit us in the eyes of the public, disrupt our peace, and even drag our children into this ugly process.
'ALLEGATIONS ARE UNTRUE'
We state clearly from here: The allegations made against us are untrue. We are aware of the reason for this dirty campaign—it is to wear down our family in order to force acceptance of a completely baseless and false slander against our father, Muhittin Böcek. All necessary legal processes have been initiated against those who produce, share, spread, and target our family with this content. From now on, we will fully pursue our rights before the law. We know that justice will ultimately prevail.
Our expectation from the public is that this smear campaign targeting our family, children, and private lives should not be given credence. We remind once again that mothers, whose sacredness is indisputable in our society, should not be made part of such dirty confrontations. Respectfully."