Turkey Detains Opposition Istanbul Mayor as Municipal Crackdown Expands
Turkish authorities have detained Istanbul's Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş and five other individuals as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities involving building and occupancy permits.
According to local reports, those detained include the district's deputy mayor, municipal secretary, an architect, a business representative and a contractor. Police carried out coordinated raids at 11 locations across Istanbul and seized digital evidence.
Investigators allege the municipality operated a system requiring contractors to sign consultancy agreements before receiving building approvals. Turkey's main opposition party has rejected the allegations, describing the investigations as politically motivated, while the government maintains that the judiciary is acting independently.
