Wide Arrests in Izmir as Part of Corruption and Tender Investigation

Turkish authorities arrested more than 120 people, including members of Izmir municipality and former officials, on suspicion of "corruption, fraud, and bid rigging" on Tuesday, July 1, according to NTV channel and local media.

The Izmir prosecutor issued arrest warrants for 157 people, including former mayor Tunç Soyer and officials from the opposition Republican People's Party, during early morning raids on their homes and workplaces.

This move is part of a broader campaign targeting opposition figures in several Turkish cities, following months of similar investigations in Istanbul.

Murat Bakan, a parliament member from the Republican People's Party, described the arrests as a "systematic operation," stating in a post on Ekşi that: "The judiciary acts based on orders it receives."

Party leaders denied the accusations, calling them a "slanderous campaign to suppress the opposition," while the Turkish government affirmed the judiciary's independence.

The arrests come after Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was convicted of corruption months ago, sparking widespread protests and Western criticism. Turkish authorities continue to deny any political motives, stating that the investigations are "based on criminal evidence," with reports indicating a focus on suspicious relationships with construction companies.