Bolu Mayor and 19 Others Face Trial in Major Corruption Case

Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, along with 19 other individuals, is set to face trial following an investigation into alleged corruption within the municipality. The charges stem from operations conducted on various dates after February 28, leading to the arrest of Özcan, Deputy Mayors Süleyman Can and Leyla Beykoz, and other municipal officials and associates.

While Beykoz's detention was later converted to house arrest and Aydan Özdemir was released, a total of 19 defendants, including Özcan, are named in the indictment prepared by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The 178-page indictment details accusations of "exacting embezzlement," "attempted embezzlement," "receiving bribes," "qualified fraud," "violating the Law on Foundations and Associations," "aiding embezzlement," "acting as an intermediary for bribes," "perjury," and "harboring a criminal."

The indictment has been accepted by the Bolu 3rd High Criminal Court. According to the charges, Mayor Tanju Özcan faces demands for prison sentences totaling between 90 years and 3 months to 263 years and 6 months. These penalties are sought for 6 counts of "exacting embezzlement" against each victim, 3 counts of "attempted embezzlement," 34 counts of "qualified fraud," and 1 count of "bribery."

Other defendants also face significant prison terms. Deputy Mayor Süleyman Can is requested to be sentenced to between 27 years and 6 months to 64 years for 5 counts of "exacting embezzlement" and 2 counts of "attempted embezzlement." BOLSEV Foundation Chairman Ali Sarıyıldız faces a potential sentence of 72 years, 7 months, and 15 days to 218 years and 9 months for charges including aiding embezzlement and qualified fraud.

The first hearing of the case commenced today in the sports hall of the Bolu Social Sciences High School, with strict security measures in place. Tanju Özcan, who was transferred from Ankara Sincan Prison to Bolu F Type Prison two days prior, was present in the courtroom.