CHP Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan was detained on the morning of February 28 as part of an “extortion” investigation conducted by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecutor’s office initiated proceedings against 13 people, including Özcan and Deputy Mayor Süleyman Can. The crime of extortion is regulated under Article 250 of the Turkish Penal Code and carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Özcan said in a statement on his social media account that he was detained for providing scholarships to students. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and some CHP deputies reacted to the detention decision.
February 28, 2026
BBC Turkish