Prosecutors said the inquiry was launched under Article 252 of Turkey’s Criminal Code following evidence gathered by the bureau investigating smuggling, narcotics and economic offences. It concerns allegations of money being sought to secure a change in detention conditions for Antalya mayor Muhittin Böcek.
The report describes claims arising from seized digital material about a $5 million arrangement to obtain a forensic medical report that would allow Böcek to move to house arrest on health grounds. These are allegations under investigation, not findings of guilt.
In a statement the previous day, Erdem said friends had introduced him to Murat Etöz while he was seeking lawful advice about a medical report. He said Etöz later relayed demands for money from unidentified people. Erdem maintains that he immediately rejected those demands and wanted only lawful assistance.
Erdem said threatening calls and messages then arrived from strangers. Unable to reach Etöz, he forwarded the messages to Etöz’s friend Arda Birici and asked him to resolve the situation. According to Erdem, Birici suggested the callers might be attempting extortion, and the contact stopped a day or two later.
The MP denies offering money, agreeing to payments or asking anyone to act unlawfully. He says he has no knowledge of discussions or promises others may have made without his involvement.