Brother of New Party deputy Veli Ağbaba arrested in Izmir corruption investigation

Hür Ağbaba has been arrested as part of a corruption investigation conducted by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Hür Ağbaba is the older 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 sits 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 additionally made cash withdrawals of 70 million TL. Meanwhile, among the allegations concerning the Ağbaba brothers are suspicions that only 18 million TL was paid for a plot of land valued at 150 million TL.

This Izmir-based corruption case had previously drawn public attention through multiple detentions; Hür Ağbaba has become the highest-profile name arrested in the process. The arrest of the brother of deputy Veli Ağbaba, an active opposition figure, may set the stage for the case to reach parliament's agenda in the near term. Developments are being closely followed.