Ankara probe alleges $5 million bribe linked to MP Mustafa Erdem

September 26, 2026 at 04:33 PM2 min

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Ankara prosecutors are investigating alleged messages between detained suspect Arda Birinci and Yeni Parti MP Mustafa Erdem concerning a $5 million payment to influence a forensic medical process in favor of suspended Antalya Mayor Muhittin Böcek. The messages reportedly include a demand for refund after the desired result was not achieved. The probe also uncovered gambling chats and photos linking Birinci to convicted crime boss Ayhan Bora Kaplan.

Key Facts

Detained suspect Arda Birinci's digital materials allegedly contain messages with Yeni Parti MP Mustafa Erdem discussing a $5 million payment to influence a forensic medical process in favor of suspended Antalya Mayor Muhittin Böcek.
One message addressed to Erdem reportedly states: "Sayın vekilim beni dolandırdın, 5 milyon dolar için..." ("Dear MP, you defrauded me, for 5 million dollars...").
The investigation also found WhatsApp group chats named "Bacanaklar" dated April 17, 2024, containing gambling images and debt-related dialogues.
Photos show Birinci with Ayhan Bora Kaplan, jailed in the Kaplan crime organization case, and lawyer Cengiz Haliç, who has an arrest warrant.
Another suspect, Murat Etöz, was detained and is being investigated for his role in money flows linked to Erdem.

Alleged $5 Million Bribe

Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is examining digital materials seized from Arda Birinci, detained in the fourth wave of a drug and prostitution investigation. The materials allegedly contain messages between Birinci and Yeni Parti Antalya MP Mustafa Erdem discussing a $5 million payment. The payment was allegedly intended to secure a favorable outcome in a forensic medical process for suspended Antalya Metropolitan Mayor Muhittin Böcek. When the desired result was not achieved, the messages reportedly show a dispute over refunding the money. One message addressed to Erdem states: "Sayın vekilim beni dolandırdın, 5 milyon dolar için..." ("Dear MP, you defrauded me, for 5 million dollars...").

Gambling and Criminal Links

Investigators found a WhatsApp group named "Bacanaklar" in which Erdem's name appears, with chats dated April 17, 2024. The chats include images of gambling tables and dialogues about debts between individuals. Photos in the case file show Birinci with Ayhan Bora Kaplan, who is jailed in the Kaplan crime organization trial, and lawyer Cengiz Haliç, who has an arrest warrant. These images are being examined in detail as part of expanding the suspect's contact network.

Ongoing Judicial Process

Suspect Murat Etöz was also detained and is being investigated for his role in money flows connected to Mustafa Erdem. Digital records reportedly show conversations in which the suspect arranged procurement of women and prostitution for some individuals. Judicial authorities are continuing to examine the source of money transfers, HTS data, bank movements, and digital records. All identified suspicious transactions and political connections will be investigated in detail.