Şeref Albayrak, the mayor of the Halfeti (Xelfetî) district in Şanlıurfa (Riha), Turkey, is being accused of using aid packages sent by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) that were never distributed during earthquake relief efforts as a political tool during his re-election campaign, presenting them to the public as his personal contribution.
Albayrak has been reportedly distributing the food aid packages in rural areas, despite not having done so during the earthquake relief efforts. The aid packages, which bear the official stamp of the Halfeti Municipality and the slogan “Our Love for Halfeti,” are being distributed as if they are the personal contributions of the mayor, Mezopotamya Agency reported.
According to Mezopotamya, the aid packages were originally sent by AFAD to help those affected by the earthquake, which struck the region in February. However, due to mismanagement and alleged corruption, the aid was not distributed to those in need and was instead stored by the municipality, to be distributed at a later time for political gain.