In a significant crackdown on corruption, Turkish authorities have detained 38 customs officers as part of a bribery investigation focusing on the country’s busiest border crossing. This operation, spearheaded by the Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, targets unlawful practices at the Kapikule border gate along the Turkey-Bulgaria frontier.
Details of the investigation
The investigation began in January with a police surveillance operation that uncovered customs officers allegedly accepting bribes from individuals crossing the border. According to reports, the operation revealed a troubling pattern of misconduct among the staff at this crucial transit point.
During the raids at the homes of the 38 arrested officers, authorities reportedly seized cash in various currencies, including European, US, and Turkish money, totaling more than €35,000. Moreover, arrest warrants have been issued for an additional 350 individuals believed to have participated in bribery schemes.
Significance of the Kapikule border
Kapıkule serves as a vital route for many in Europe’s large Turkish diaspora, with around 4 million people and 400,000 vehicles traversing this crossing annually. According to Frontex, the EU’s border security agency, this location ranks as the busiest border crossing in Europe, underscoring its importance in regional transit.
This isn’t the first instance of corruption investigations within Turkey’s customs sector. In December, authorities in Mersin province conducted a related anti-bribery operation that resulted in the arrest of 91 individuals, including customs employees and brokers. During that raid, valuable assets were confiscated, including cash and gold worth over €150,000, along with luxury watches, unlicensed firearms, and illegal drugs.
The backdrop of these operations is a period of political unrest in Turkey, which has been exacerbated by the recent arrest of an opposition presidential candidate. This incident has ignited widespread protests, marking the most significant public dissent against the government in over a decade.