MHP mayor arrested for 'misconduct in office'

In Konya, MHP Akören Mayor İsmail Arslan has been arrested on allegations that he paid 'blood money' from the municipal budget for a citizen who lost their life in a traffic accident he was involved in back in 2021. It is alleged that Arslan covered the 5 million 500 thousand lira compensation for the citizen who died in the accident using the municipal treasury.

According to a report by Sözcü, Arslan was arrested for misconduct in office following a trial at the Konya 7th High Criminal Court.

Hasan Yel, the Konya Provincial Chairman of the New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah Partisi), reacted to the mayor's arrest and the silence of the Ministry of Interior and judicial authorities. Yel stated that the mayor's conviction could necessitate a political ban or removal from office, and expressed that the Ministry of Interior and the Supreme Election Council should immediately launch an investigation. Furthermore, he emphasized that covering the compensation for the individuals who died or were injured in the accident Arslan was involved in using the municipal budget was unlawful.

Akören Municipality had previously made headlines over allegations regarding the sale of a martyr's father's house. These events have increased pressure on the municipal administration while raising public demands for transparency and accountability. Stating that the process must be clarified, Hasan Yel requested that his statements be accepted as an official report.

News Source: 12punto