Doctor arrested in Turkey for allegedly taking bribes for surgeries

An orthopedic specialist at Manisa Celal Bayar University's Hafsa Sultan Hospital in Turkey has been arrested on charges of demanding and receiving bribes from patients for performing surgeries. The doctor, identified by the initials S.E., allegedly solicited payments ranging from 22,000 to 195,000 Turkish Lira from individuals whose surgery costs were covered by the Social Security Institution.

An investigation launched by the Manisa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office revealed that S.E. allegedly requested these sums to be transferred to his personal bank account. The probe examined bank account activities between August 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026. According to findings, S.E. demanded money from 51 patients who had applied for examinations and paid the necessary hospital fees.

Reports suggest that patients were informed that their surgeries would be performed by assistant physicians if they did not comply with the doctor's demands for payment. Bank records reportedly document a total of 2,649,500 Turkish Lira in illicit gains across 51 separate transactions. The investigation notes that amounts received in cash or in person were not included in this total.

The suspect is believed to have contacted 30 individuals who were harmed by similar actions. Following his detention, S.E. was brought before a criminal court of peace, which ordered his arrest on the charge of "extortion by coercion."