Ceyhan Mayor Aydar Slams 'Secret Witness' in Bribery Trial

The trial concerning alleged bribery and bid-rigging, which has ensnared numerous individuals including several mayors, continues to be a focal point of public scrutiny. Ceyhan Mayor Kadir Aydar, recently released after 327 days of detention, voiced strong criticism against the reliance on a secret witness whose testimony he deemed based on hearsay and lacking concrete evidence. Speaking outside the Istanbul 1st High Criminal Court, Aydar lamented that courts should not be swayed by gossip, especially when it leads to the prosecution of individuals based on unsubstantiated claims.

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Somut bir belgesi, bilgisi, görgüsü olmayan kişi gizli tanıklık yapsa ne olur, yapmasa ne olur? Mahkemeler dedikodular üzerinden yürümez.

His release after a prolonged period underscores a broader concern about the justice system's processes. Aydar highlighted the burden placed on the accused to prove their innocence, a reversal of the principle that the accuser must prove guilt. He pointed to the case of other mayors, such as Rıza Akpolat and Oya Tekin, who are also facing trial, emphasizing that detentions should not serve as a form of pre-trial punishment. The current situation, he argued, is a testament to a flawed investigation from the outset, where unsubstantiated testimonies have led to unjust legal proceedings.

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Halbuki biz iddia eden taraf ispatla yükümlüdür. Ama burada öyle bir şey ki biz kendimizi ispat etmek zorunda kaldık.

From our perspective at Cumhuriyet, the proceedings raise serious questions about the integrity of evidence and the potential for abuse within the legal system. The reliance on secret witnesses, particularly those who admit to lacking direct knowledge or evidence, is deeply troubling. This case exemplifies how hearsay and unverified information can derail justice, causing immense suffering to those implicated. We believe that transparency and adherence to the principle of proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt are paramount. The call for non-custodial sentences for those who would not flee, like the mayors mentioned, is a reasonable plea for proportionality in justice, especially when the evidence is questionable.

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Bilgisi, belgesi, görgüsü olmayan insanlar, dedikodu kazanında birbirinden duyduklarını ya da bilgi sahibi olmadıkları şeyleri, artık hangi amaçlarla verdiklerini bilmiyorum ama, arkadaşlarımızın onlar yüzünden yargılanması çok acı.