Antalya mayor, son to remain in detention on corruption charges

A court in Antalya has ruled to maintain the detention of Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek and his son, Gökhan Böcek, who are facing charges of bribery and corruption. The trial continued at the Antalya Regional Court of Justice.

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I did not use my father's influence. I see people who requested an appointment with my father, even for 5 minutes, today testifying against me.

During the proceedings, Gökhan Böcek defended himself, stating that the accusations against him lacked substance. He asserted that he returned to Turkey voluntarily when the investigation began and has been detained for a year. He claimed that testimonies against him were not truthful and that he never exploited his father's position, noting that individuals seeking his father's favor were now testifying against him.

Muhittin Böcek also addressed the court, reiterating his request for release due to health problems. He recounted his severe battle with COVID-19, which required 108 days in intensive care. Böcek expressed his dismay, stating that allegations of his medical reports being rejected surfaced even before he was summoned by the medical board. He detailed his increased medication intake, from 12 to 25 pills daily, and questioned the doctors involved in both prescribing and assessing his condition. He stated he had never engaged in any activity he could not account for and even donated 12 dönüms of land for a school. He expressed sadness at the actions of those he considered friends, who he felt were acting wrongly by keeping him imprisoned based on additional statements.

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I had severe COVID-19, spent 108 days in intensive care. When I was asked to get a health report for the court, allegations emerged that the report was rejected before the committee even called me. I was taking 12 medications when I entered prison, now I take 25 medications a day. I wonder if their consciences are clear. This situation saddened me and I cried secretly in prison.

The court decided to extend the pre-trial detention for both Muhittin and Gökhan Böcek, adjourning the trial to September 8.

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I have never been involved in any business I cannot account for. I donated 12 dönüms of my land to the state, and a school was built. I am sadly seeing people who do not want to stay in prison with additional statements for a year, and those I considered friends, acting wrongly. I have never had anything to do with money. I want my release.