Muhittin Böcek, former mayor of Mediterranean Turkish province Antalya, disclosed how he delivered cash for a fellow mayor upon instructions of his party’s leader Özgür Özel. Böcek, who was arrested last year on charges of corruption while serving as a mayor for Republican People’s Party (CHP) has testified recently, invoking a law for lenient sentences for collaborators. He made an additional testimony on Thursday, further detailing secret cash flow to several figures in the party.

He told investigators that Özel, who was ousted from his office last month on charges of corruption, instructed him to provide financial support to Ferdi Zeyrek, late mayor of western Manisa province, prior to the 2024 municipal elections. Manisa is the constituency of Özel. “I put about 950,000 euros into a bag and took it to Manisa,” Böcek said in his statement.

Böcek stated that he went to Ankara as he sought support for his candidacy for the Antalya municipality before the 2024 elections and he was later joined by his son Mustafa Gökhan.

The former mayor also confirmed paying a large amount of cash to party’s administration to secure candidacy, as his son earlier told investigators. “In accordance with the instruction previously given by Özgür Özel regarding candidacy, I directed (Gökhan) regarding the provision of financial support. Upon Özgür Özel’s instruction and following a call from Veli Ağbaba (a lawmaker close to Özel), my son went to the CHP headquarters building to deliver 1 million euros. I do not know to whom he delivered the money, but my son had previously stated this matter in his statement,” he said.

Noting that he went to Manisa before his candidacy was announced, Muhittin Böcek said he hid the cash in a large bag which were also filled with documents regarding “projects” he would discuss with the Manisa mayor. He noted that he was on an official visit to Manisa on January 14, 2024. “ For a short time, I was left alone with Ferdi Zeyrek. Meanwhile, I placed the bag containing approximately 950,000 euros next to his desk. I told him, ‘I brought the bag to you, let us make our contributions during the election process.’ I do not know how Mr. Ferdi used this money. We left Manisa in the evening. At the time I gave the money, only the late Ferdi Zeyrek was present.”

Stating that his candidacy was announced at the end of January, Böcek said: “Upon the instructions of the headquarters and Özgür Özel, I sent money to various places to be used in election campaigns. In previous elections, a portion of the candidates’ election expenses would be covered by the CHP headquarters. However, for the first time, we did not receive any support from the headquarters. On the contrary, I was asked to make financial contributions to other places besides myself. In this context, I covered all the election expenses of the (Antalya district) Konyaaltı mayoral candidate. I authorized my son regarding this matter,” he said. Böcek said he handed over TL 15 million in cash through his son to several municipalities.

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Armenia on Sunday will hold parliamentary elections, the first since Azerbaijan’s Karabakh victory under incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and a crucial vote in which the nation will also decide on the tone of rapprochement with Türkiye.

Like its neighbor Türkiye, Armenia looks to balance alignments with Asia and the West. At Sunday’s parliamentary elections, the Caucasus country may test this balance, as well as its normalization with Türkiye. It will be the first election for the prime minister since Azerbaijan retook Karabakh in a decisive 2023 military victory and a vote that will follow a growing pace of rapprochement with Ankara. Experts argue that Armenia’s upcoming elections have the potential to reshape political dynamics in the Caucasus, making them a matter of strategic importance for regional and international stakeholders.

“Armenia’s upcoming elections have the potential to influence the strategic balance in the South Caucasus,” Assistant professor Sinan Demirtürk of Gazi University and the chair of the Türkiye Policy and Strategic Research Foundation (TURPAV), told Daily Sabah.

Armenia is counting down to parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7 as the country continues efforts to normalize relations with Türkiye and Azerbaijan. The election will determine Armenia’s next prime minister.

Armenian voters are set to head to the polls on Sunday to elect a new parliament and next prime minister.

According to Demirtürk, Armenia has historically been positioned as a military and political partner of first the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union in the region.

“From a historical perspective, Armenia has long been integrated into Russia’s geopolitical strategy in the South Caucasus,” he said, arguing that Moscow continues to view Armenia as a key component of its regional security architecture, making Armenian elections an issue with implications extending beyond domestic politics.

The election is taking place amid ongoing debates over Armenia’s foreign policy orientation, including discussions about reducing dependence on Russia and deepening engagement with the West. Political observers say the vote could mark a turning point for the country’s future direction.

One of the factors drawing significant attention to Armenia’s parliamentary elections is Pashinyan. Known for his active use of social media, Pashinyan has remained at the center of public debate due to his efforts to normalize relations with Türkiye and Azerbaijan, as well as his outspoken statements and political initiatives.

While widely regarded as the frontrunner in the race, Pashinyan is also among the most heavily criticized political figures in the country. He has advocated both the normalization of ties with Türkiye and Azerbaijan and closer relations with Western countries.

“The outcome of the elections will not only affect Armenia’s internal political trajectory but could also have broader consequences for regional dynamics, particularly relations involving Russia, Azerbaijan and other actors in the South Caucasus,” Demirtürk noted.

Armenian voters will choose among 17 political parties and two electoral alliances in a parliamentary election widely viewed as a test of the country’s future geopolitical orientation, as debates continue over closer ties with either Russia or the West.

Pashinyan and his ruling Civil Contract Party remain the frontrunners, according to recent opinion polls. However, analysts say that even if Pashinyan’s party finishes first, it may fall short of securing enough votes to govern alone.

One of Pashinyan’s main challengers is Russian Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who leads the Strong Armenia alliance.

Drawing attention to the normalization of trade, transportation and border cooperation between Türkiye and Armenia while addressing long-standing historical and political disputes through bilateral agreements, “The goal is to create a more stable framework for border security and regional logistics,” Demirtürk said.

Such developments could further reduce Russia’s influence in the South Caucasus, particularly following Azerbaijan’s victory in the Karabakh conflict and the changing regional security environment, according to Demirtürk.

“The concern in Moscow is that deeper regional integration could gradually diminish Russia’s military and political leverage in the region.”

Recent normalization efforts mark the most active and tangible phase since the 1990s in Turkish-Armenian relations, which have long been at a minimum. As of early May, the process has moved toward frequent diplomatic contacts and a focus on confidence-building measures, including direct technical projects such as the joint restoration of the ancient Ani Bridge, which stands on the border between the two.

Demirtürk remarked that a victory by Pashinyan could accelerate ongoing regional normalization efforts and expand transportation and trade connectivity across the South Caucasus.

“If Pashinyan remains in power, agreements reached between Armenia and its neighbors could pave the way for new transit routes linking Türkiye with Central Asia,” he stressed.

Türkiye and Armenia have signed a deal for the joint restoration of the ancient Ani Bridge on the border during a visit in May by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz to Yerevan. Yılmaz was the highest-ranking official since former President Abdullah Gül to visit Armenia. His visit is more significant, though, as Yerevan and Ankara explore more ways to further cooperation and eventually, fully normalize their relations.

“In that context, Armenia could become an important transit hub alongside projects such as the proposed Zangezur Corridor, particularly through the development of road and railway infrastructure.”

He also said greater regional connectivity could contribute to broader social and political normalization among countries in the region.

“Improved transportation links and economic integration would likely be accompanied by a gradual easing of tensions and increased people-to-people contact.”

Since 2020, Türkiye and Armenia have held a string of talks at various levels to explore the way forward in relations. Most recently, delegations from the two sides met in Kars of eastern Türkiye to discuss the revival of a railway between the two neighbors.

Earlier, direct passenger and cargo flights were launched mutually. Ankara and Yerevan also approved the opening of the Alican border crossing to citizens of third countries and diplomatic passport holders. Before Yılmaz’s visit, Pashinyan met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last June in Istanbul.

Azerbaijan, Armenia affairs

The process aimed at achieving lasting peace and normalizing relations between South Caucasus countries Azerbaijan and Armenia is set to continue in 2026, building on concrete diplomatic, political and economic steps taken over the past year

The year 2025 marked a period of intensified engagement between the two former Soviet nations, with contacts expanding from political dialogue to confidence-building measures on the ground.

A major breakthrough came on Aug. 8, when Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Pashinyan met in Washington under U.S. mediation and signed a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to ending decades of conflict. On the same occasion, the foreign ministers of both countries initialed a peace agreement, underscoring a shared determination to advance toward full normalization.

Pointing out the cruciality of Armenia’s upcoming elections that are being closely observed by both global powers and regional actors, “As for Azerbaijan, Baku continues to adhere to the fundamental principles of international law and does not interfere in Armenia’s internal affairs,” Najiba Mustafayeva, an assistant professor at the Ibn Haldun University, stated.

“However, the prospect of revanchist opposition forces coming to power is viewed as a potential threat to the peace process,” she continued.

“The future of the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement will be shaped to a large extent by the outcome of the elections,” Mustafayeva warned.

She underlined that some opposition groups have campaigned on revisiting the terms of the peace agreement initialed by the parties in Washington last year and have sought to revive rhetoric surrounding the now-resolved Karabakh issue.

“From Baku’s perspective, attempts to reopen discussions on the Karabakh question or renegotiate the framework of the peace agreement could undermine regional stability and complicate efforts to achieve a lasting settlement between the two countries.”

Sargis Khandanyan, a member of the ruling Civil Contract Party and chair of the Armenian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, recently said that his party would seek to advance the signing and ratification of a peace agreement with Azerbaijan while maintaining existing economic cooperation initiatives.

Khandanyan also condemned incidents involving the burning of Turkish and Azerbaijani flags in Yerevan.

“There can be no more absurd way of delivering a political or diplomatic message to a country than by burning its flag,” he said.

“The peace process currently underway reflects a convergence of interests between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” Mustafayeva noted.

“For Baku, the most important issue is the extent to which Armenia continues to adhere to the peace agenda, and the elections are expected to provide a clearer indication of that commitment.”

Both Azerbaijan and Armenia have taken steps aimed at fostering mutual trust. Azerbaijan eased restrictions on cargo destined for Armenia, contributing to the functioning of regional trade and transportation routes. The launch of Azerbaijani oil exports to Armenia was recorded as a notable milestone in economic relations and a shift toward pragmatic cooperation.

According to Demirtürk, if Pashinyan remains in power, ongoing bilateral agreements could further strengthen regional connectivity and expand Armenia’s role as a transit route.

The country could become an increasingly important transportation hub alongside the proposed Zangezur Corridor, with the potential development of new road and railway links facilitating trade and movement across the region.

Niger’s President Abdourahamane Tchiani met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday in Ankara in his inaugural visit to Türkiye. The two-day visit is an opportunity for the leader of the West African country to deepen blossoming ties with Türkiye and vice versa.

Tchiani, invited by Erdoğan, arrived with a busy agenda on bilateral relations, including talks on regional security, counterterrorism and economic ties.

Two countries escalated the level of relations after Tchiani came to power in 2023. Since 2023, the West African country also downgraded ties with the United States and France. Niger, in the meantime, seeks to reach out to new partners elsewhere.

Türkiye’s diplomatic relations with Niger date back to 1967, but Ankara opened its first embassy in Niamey in 2012, months before Niger set up its own embassy in the Turkish capital. Since 2012, two countries signed 29 agreements. Erdoğan, then prime minister, visited Niger in 2013, one year before the Nigerien president visited Türkiye. In 2012, the two countries signed the “Agreement of Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation,” laying the groundwork for future economic relations.

Although diplomatic ties remained stable, Türkiye sought to expand cooperation further with the implementation of the Africa Action Plan. This evolved into the Africa Partnership Policy starting in 2013. In the past two decades under Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AK Party) governments, Türkiye’s relations with the African countries flourished in every field, from trade to security, culture and development. The country signed trade and economic cooperation agreements with 50 African countries in recent years. It signed agreements of incentives for mutual investments with 32 countries, agreements to prevent double taxation with 17 countries, military framework agreements with 35 countries, military training cooperation deals with 21 countries and defense industry cooperation agreements with 29 countries. It set up joint business councils with 49 African countries. In other venues, Türkiye’s Eximbank became the first non-African shareholder of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) in 2023. Türkiye is also hosting some 65,000 international students from African countries. In terms of development aid, Türkiye contributed to the construction of hospitals in Niger, Sudan and Somalia.

Türkiye increased the number of its diplomatic missions to 44 in 2024, from 12 in 2002, across the continent. Similarly, the number of embassies of the African countries in Türkiye rose to 38 in 2024, from only 10 in 2008.

Türkiye’s trade volume with the African countries rose to about $40 billion by the end of 2025, from around $4.3 billion in 2002. Turkish investments in Africa rose to $10 billion in 2024, from $67 million in 2003. Turkish contractors are behind more than 2,000 projects across the continent.

Elsewhere, Türkiye boosted ties with the African Union (AU), with its status in the body elevated from observer to strategic partner in 2008. In the same year, Istanbul hosted the first edition of the Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit. The summit’s next edition is expected to be held later this year after a five-year hiatus.

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Türkiye’s Constitutional Court on Thursday annulled a provision of the Civil Code that allows indefinite alimony payments following divorce, paving the way for a new legal framework on spousal support.

The court ruled by majority vote to strike down the provision contained in Article 175 of the Turkish Civil Code, which grants a spouse who would fall into poverty due to divorce the right to request alimony from the other party on an indefinite basis.

According to the ruling, the annulment will take effect nine months after its publication, giving lawmakers time to prepare a replacement regulation.

The decision came after the Antalya 12th Family Court applied to the Constitutional Court seeking the cancellation of the provision’s indefinite duration requirement.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek welcomed the ruling, describing it as an important step toward ensuring fairness and justice in family law.

“We consider the Constitutional Court’s annulment decision regarding the ‘indefinite alimony’ provision in the Turkish Civil Code to be extremely valuable in terms of justice and equity,” Gürlek said in a statement on social media.

Gürlek said the government had already been working on possible reforms as part of a broader judicial reform package, citing longstanding public demands and concerns raised through legal practice.

He said the government would prepare a new legislative framework that protects the rights of both parties after divorce while preventing individuals from being subjected to what he described as unfair lifelong financial obligations.

Taking into account the transition period granted by the court, Gürlek said the government would submit a new proposal to Parliament that balances social justice, family values and individual rights.

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U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the NATO summit of heads of state and government scheduled to take place in Türkiye in July, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday.

Speaking to lawmakers, Rubio described the upcoming gathering as one of the most consequential meetings in the alliance’s history, citing key issues that NATO members must address.

“I think the next meeting of NATO and Türkiye in July is probably the most important meeting in NATO’s history, because there are some things here that need to be cleared up and fixed,” Rubio said.

He also confirmed Trump’s participation in the summit, telling lawmakers that “the president himself will be attending.”

While Washington remains a member, he said the organization needs “significant changes” that will be discussed in the July 7-8 summit in the Turkish capital.

The meeting is expected to bring together leaders from across the alliance at a time of heightened security concerns and ongoing discussions over NATO’s future priorities, burden-sharing and regional challenges.

Trump’s attendance is likely to place additional focus on the summit, with alliance members expected to discuss defense spending, transatlantic security and other strategic issues facing NATO.

Rubio reiterated long-time administration rhetoric that Western European nations have avoided defense spending for decades by relying on the U.S. security shield to fund “vast and robust” social safety networks.

“The U.S. has global obligations, and while we have vast resources, we do not have unlimited resources,” Rubio said.

The top U.S. diplomat also expressed frustration about recent incidents where NATO allies denied the U.S. use of their bases during the war with Iran.

“In a time of conflict and crisis, where the United States had a need,” said Rubio, allies who demand U.S. involvement in European matters like Ukraine refused to allow American tankers to refuel at their facilities. The lack of cooperation, he said, caused Trump’s “irritation” with the alliance.

Addressing Trump’s previous interest in acquiring Greenland, Rubio defended the logic, noting that the administration is in talks with Denmark and Greenland on collective missile defense.

“The president’s view is that it’s a lot easier to defend it when you have control and complete control of it,” he added.

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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Bangladesh on June 5-6 at the invitation of Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, marking his first visit to the South Asian country since taking office, Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

According to ministry sources, Fidan is expected to be received by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and hold talks with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman during the visit.

The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties, expanding economic cooperation and exchanging views on regional and global developments, including recent developments in the Middle East, Iran and South Asia.

Fidan is expected to congratulate Rahman on his election as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and reaffirm Türkiye’s support for closer cooperation with Bangladesh across a range of sectors, including trade, defense industry, energy, education, culture, science and health care.

The Turkish foreign minister is also expected to reiterate the two countries’ goal of increasing bilateral trade volume to $2 billion. Trade between Türkiye and Bangladesh reached approximately $1.36 billion in 2025, with Turkish exports totaling $430.6 million and imports from Bangladesh reaching $926.4 million.

Bilateral relations

The visit comes amid growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries following the formation of Bangladesh’s new government in February. Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Berris Ekinci attended the inauguration ceremony of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Feb. 17 and held separate meetings with Bangladeshi officials, including leaders from the country’s political establishment.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, who assumed office in the new government and was nominated by Bangladesh for the presidency of the 81st U.N. General Assembly, made his first bilateral foreign visit to Türkiye on March 14. He also attended the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in April.

A key component of Fidan’s visit will be a trip to Cox’s Bazar, home to more than 1 million Rohingya Muslims who fled violence and conflict in neighboring Myanmar.

There, Fidan is expected to visit refugee camps and inspect humanitarian assistance projects carried out by Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay), the Turkish Diyanet Foundation (TDV) and the Health Ministry. He is also scheduled to visit the Türkiye Field Hospital operating in the region.

Türkiye has remained one of the leading international contributors to humanitarian relief efforts for Rohingya refugees. According to Turkish officials, the total value of humanitarian assistance provided by Türkiye for Rohingya Muslims has exceeded $80 million since the beginning of the crisis.

Turkish institutions continue to support refugees in areas including health care, shelter, education and infrastructure. The field hospital established by Türkiye in Cox’s Bazar in 2018 provides medical services to approximately 1,000 patients daily, including both Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi citizens.

The facility employs 85 personnel, including 30 Turkish and 55 local staff members.

Officials said Fidan is expected to underline Türkiye’s commitment to keeping the Rohingya crisis high on the international agenda and to continuing humanitarian support for displaced communities while emphasizing Bangladesh’s strategic role in promoting peace, stability and security in South Asia.

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