Travel ban lifted for police chief in Ayhan Bora Kaplan case

A Turkish court is continuing the trial of Ayhan Bora Kaplan, accused of leading an organized crime group, along with several police officers facing charges of bribery and illicit enrichment. The case, being heard at the Ankara 33rd High Criminal Court, involves allegations of corruption and illegal wealth accumulation.

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I agree with the expert report. The findings regarding assets are correct. It is true that my expenditures were found to be compatible.

During the latest session, defendants Alp Arslan, a former Deputy Police Chief for Organized Crime, and Ercan Karagöz, along with another officer Oben Özay, were present. Kaplan and another defendant, Serdar Coşkun, did not attend. Arslan stated his agreement with an expert report, confirming the accuracy of findings regarding his assets and expenditures. Karagöz also voiced agreement with the expert report, noting issues with a previous MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board) report. Özay requested acquittal, explaining discrepancies in his financial records as detailed in his prior statements.

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We tried to explain ourselves in the prosecution's investigation. I agree with the expert report that there are issues with the MASAK report.

Witness testimony was also heard. A witness identified as M.B. testified about a real estate transaction with Oben Özay, stating that Özay had offered to sell a TOKİ apartment and that payment arrangements were made based on trust. The prosecution presented its opinion, recommending that any outstanding issues be addressed. In a preliminary decision, the court sent the case to the prosecutor for a final opinion and lifted the foreign travel ban imposed on Alp Arslan. The next hearing is set for September 8.

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I had explained the reasons for the discrepancies between certain dates identified in the expert report in my previous statements.