Ozer has been behind bars since October as part of a separate investigation into his alleged connections to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
The bid-rigging scheme was allegedly led by a man named Aziz Ihsan Aktas, prosecutors said. He and 24 other suspects were detained on charges of establishing and directing a criminal organization, being members of a criminal organization, bribery, bid rigging, violation of tax laws and money laundering.
Police set up barriers around the Besiktas municipal offices while the Akpolat office was searched and staff IDs were checked before workers were allowed to enter.
Akpolat, 42, was elected mayor of Besiktas in 2019 with almost three-quarters of the vote, after unsuccessfully running for parliament on the CHP ticket.
Along with other municipal officials, he was arrested on charges of belonging to a criminal organization, bid rigging, bribery, and unjust acquisition of property.
Since opposition parties successfully gained control of Turkey’s major cities in 2019 (and held on to them in local elections last year), local officials have often been arrested and removed from office. Members of the pro-Kurdish party have been the main targets for alleged links to the PKK.
