Former Antalya mayor admits delivering 950,000 euros to late CHP mayor on party leader's orders
Muhittin Böcek, the former mayor of Antalya arrested on corruption charges, testified on June 4 that he delivered 950,000 euros in cash to late Manisa Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek in January 2024 on instructions from then-CHP leader Özgür Özel. Böcek also said he sent 1 million euros to CHP headquarters via his son to secure his candidacy, also on Özel's orders. The testimony is part of a leniency deal for collaborators.
Muhittin Böcek, the former mayor of Antalya arrested on corruption charges, made an additional testimony on Thursday, June 4, 2026, detailing secret cash deliveries he said he carried out on instructions from then-Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel. Böcek, who invoked a law for lenient sentences for collaborators, told investigators he delivered about 950,000 euros in a bag to late Manisa Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek on January 14, 2024, during an official visit to Manisa.
"I put about 950,000 euros into a bag and took it to Manisa," Böcek said in his statement. He said he hid the cash in a large bag also filled with documents regarding projects he would discuss with Zeyrek. "For a short time, I was left alone with Ferdi Zeyrek. Meanwhile, I placed the bag containing approximately 950,000 euros next to his desk. I told him, 'I brought the bag to you, let us make our contributions during the election process.' I do not know how Mr. Ferdi used this money. We left Manisa in the evening. At the time I gave the money, only the late Ferdi Zeyrek was present," Böcek said.
Böcek also confirmed paying 1 million euros to CHP headquarters via his son to secure his candidacy. He said the delivery was instructed by Özel and followed a call from lawmaker Veli Ağbaba. "In accordance with the instruction previously given by Özgür Özel regarding candidacy, I directed (Gökhan) regarding the provision of financial support. Upon Özgür Özel's instruction and following a call from Veli Ağbaba, my son went to the CHP headquarters building to deliver 1 million euros. I do not know to whom he delivered the money, but my son had previously stated this matter in his statement," Böcek said.
Böcek said he covered all election expenses of the Konyaaltı mayoral candidate and handed over TL 15 million in cash through his son to several municipalities. "Upon the instructions of the headquarters and Özgür Özel, I sent money to various places to be used in election campaigns. In previous elections, a portion of the candidates' election expenses would be covered by the CHP headquarters. However, for the first time, we did not receive any support from the headquarters. On the contrary, I was asked to make financial contributions to other places besides myself," he said.
Özgür Özel was ousted from his office last month on corruption charges.