25 arrested in wake of anti-corruption operation in Turkish Izmir city

Some 25 people were detained as a result of the anti-corruption operation carried out in the Turkish city of Izmir, Sabah newspaper said on Tuesday.

The detainees are accused of taking huge bribes during the tender for the privatization of the port Alsancak in Izmir, the newspaper reported.

Turkish police conducted special operations in Istanbul and Ankara on Dec.17, resulting in the arrest of several dozen people including businessmen and sons of certain ministers. The detainees were held on charges of corruption, smuggling and selling drugs.

Mayor of Istanbul's Fatih Municipality, Mustafa Demir, Director General of Turkish Halkbank Suleyman Aslan and well known entrepreneur Ali Agaoglu were arrested during the same operation by police. Searches were conducted at Halkbank's office.

Earlier, after a meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a new cabinet of ministers.

Adapted from TODAY.AZ