Istanbul Officials Accused of Extorting Greek Orthodox Foundation

ISTANBUL — Turkish authorities have arrested the mayor of Istanbul’s Adalar district and numerous municipal officials following a corruption investigation that alleges public officials demanded payments from religious and private institutions in exchange for permits and administrative approvals.

Prosecutors claim that officials in the opposition-run Adalar Municipality improperly collected nearly TL 3 million ($65,000) from representatives of the Paniya Aya Dimitri Profiti Ilya Greek Orthodox Church and School Foundation on Büyükada, despite the foundation’s legal exemption from such fees. Investigators allege the payments were tied to the issuance of an occupancy permit and were made in multiple installments over an extended period.

According to court documents, Deputy Mayor Hüseyin Yılmaz allegedly pressured foundation representative Vasil Poridis to provide funds, arguing that the municipality needed financial resources. Prosecutors also cited intercepted communications that reportedly discussed the collection of money and the status of the permit process. Authorities contend that municipal officials linked administrative approvals to the receipt of payments and continued seeking additional funds after initial sums had been delivered.

The investigation extends beyond a single institution. Prosecutors allege municipal authorities reviewed comparable permit-related matters involving other religious properties in the district, including the historic Halki Seminary on Heybeliada. Last week, police carried out coordinated raids at 90 locations across four provinces, detaining 42 suspects. A court subsequently ordered the arrest of 35 individuals, including Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat and two deputy mayors, while several others were released under judicial supervision pending trial.

Previously, the UOJ reported that HALC urged a U.S. crackdown on Turkey over religious freedom concerns.