Turkish prosecutors announced on Thursday the arrest of Erdal Besikcioglu, an acclaimed TV actor-turned-opposition mayor, on charges of corruption. Besikcioglu, who gained recognition for his role as a homicide detective, is the latest target in criminal proceedings against members of the Republican People’s Party (CHP). The party claims these actions are politically motivated.
The 56-year-old was elected mayor of Etimesgut, a city of 600,000 residents near Ankara, in 2024. He rose to national prominence portraying a detective challenging the system in the popular series “Behzat C.”
Ankara authorities stated they carried out simultaneous raids across nine provinces and detained 55 individuals, including Besikcioglu, 42 municipal employees, and 13 business executives. The suspects are accused of establishing and running a criminal organization, embezzlement, and corruption.
The investigation focuses on irregularities in tender processes issued by Etimesgut’s city hall. These allegations bear similarities to those faced by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was detained in March 2025 and remains in custody, along with numerous other CHP officials.
Imamoglu, viewed as a key contender against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in upcoming elections, and the CHP state that these arrests are part of a broader campaign orchestrated by Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP).
On Wednesday, Sinem Dedetas, CHP mayor of Uskudar near Istanbul, was also arrested on suspicion of irregularities in issuing building permits. Currently, at least 28 CHP mayors and hundreds of party officials are in detention.
Ozgur Ozel, a court-removed CHP leader, left the party last week to form a new political group with 91 lawmakers aiming to challenge Erdogan’s government.
