ISTANBUL, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish authorities on Friday detained 41 suspects, including the mayor of Istanbul's Princes' Islands (Adalar) district, in a large-scale anti-corruption operation, the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said.
The investigation centers on an alleged bribery scheme involving illegal construction permits and unlicensed businesses in protected historical and archaeological sites.
According to prosecutors, Adalar Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat, two deputy mayors, department heads and municipal staff approved major alterations to registered historic buildings by classifying them as "minor repairs" in exchange for bribes.
Police carried out simultaneous raids at 90 locations across four provinces as part of the investigation into 47 suspects allegedly linked to 40 criminal offenses. Documents and digital materials were seized during the searches, while efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects were continuing. ■
