Fatih Altaylı reacts to Erdal Beşikçioğlu's drug test: 'Damn it, you are public officials'

Journalist Fatih Altaylı reacted to the announced prohibited substance test results concerning Etimesgut Mayor Erdal Beşikçioğlu, who was arrested and suspended from his post as part of a corruption investigation.

In an article published on his website, Altaylı stated that the samples taken from Beşikçioğlu for the drug test came back positive for "cannabis," expressing his surprise at the situation. Emphasizing that Beşikçioğlu holds public office as a politician and mayor, Altaylı issued a reminder of his responsibilities.

In his article, Altaylı wrote, "I mean, it might not surprise anyone if a little 'weed' is found among the artist crowd, but you have entered politics, you have been elected mayor, you represent a district."

Touching upon the test result of Beşikçioğlu's deputy, Altaylı noted that the deputy mayor's test came back "positive for cocaine" and reacted sharply. Altaylı said, "Damn it, you are public officials. Moreover, you are trying to perform that duty as members of a besieged party. Can this really be happening!"

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE INVESTIGATION?

Within the scope of the investigation coordinated by the Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, teams from the Ankara Provincial Police Department conducted a search at the Etimesgut Municipality on the morning of July 30, 2026. Many people, including Mayor Erdal Beşikçioğlu, were detained during the operation.

On August 3, 2026, the Ankara West 2nd Criminal Judgeship of Peace decided to arrest 40 people, including Beşikçioğlu, and imposed judicial control measures on 14 suspects. The charges brought against the suspects in the file include bid-rigging, extortion, and establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime.

Following the arrest decision, the Ministry of Interior announced that Beşikçioğlu had been temporarily suspended from duty as a precautionary measure in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipal Law No. 5393.

News Source: 12punto