Brother of New Party Deputy Veli Ağbaba Arrested in Izmir Corruption Investigation

Hür Ağbaba has been arrested as part of a corruption investigation being conducted by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Hür Ağbaba is the elder brother of Veli Ağbaba, General Deputy Chairman and deputy of the New Party. The arrest decision was approved by the Izmir on-duty court.

A serious financial picture is at the center of the investigation. According to a report prepared by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), Hür Ağbaba carried out fund transfers totaling 343 million TL, and in addition made cash withdrawals of 70 million TL. Meanwhile, among the allegations involving the Ağbaba brothers are suspicions that a plot of land valued at 150 million TL was paid for with only 18 million TL.

This Izmir-based corruption case had previously made headlines with multiple detentions; Hür Ağbaba became the highest-profile figure arrested in the process. The arrest of the elder brother of Deputy Veli Ağbaba, who is an active opposition figure, could set the stage for the case to be brought before parliament in the short term. Developments are being closely monitored.