Turkish authorities have detained 41 suspects, including Adalar Municipality Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat, Deputy Mayors Huseyin Yilmaz and Firat Durak, along with department heads and staff, in a major corruption investigation spanning Istanbul.

Axar.az informs, citing Turkish media, that according to prosecutors, officials are accused of issuing permits in protected archaeological zones in exchange for bribes and allowing illegal construction under the guise of “minor repairs.”

The investigation includes charges such as bribery, abuse of office, document forgery, and forming an organized criminal group. Authorities said illegal businesses were also granted licenses or protected through corrupt arrangements.

Investigators reviewed financial crime data, phone records, and witness statements as part of the probe.

In a coordinated operation targeting 90 addresses, police carried out arrests and seized $258,000 in cash and gold during searches linked to the case.