More than 20 customs officers arrested in Turkey

By Cemal Asan

VAN, Turkey

More than 20 customs officers were arrested during an anti-corruption operation in 10 provinces across Turkey Thursday, according to the gendarmerie Friday.

The Gendarmerie General Command said in a statement that it led the operation after the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in eastern Van province issued arrest warrants for 25 people, including 22 customs officers for alleged corruption in the Kapikoy Customs Office in Saray district.

So far, 23 people have been held; two remain at large.

The suspects have been accused of forging documents, bribing and obtaining undue benefit from commercial vehicles with exports and imports, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office.