Antalya Mayor Muhittin Böcek faces trial in ALDAŞ corruption case

The trial of 21 defendants, including Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek, has commenced at the Antalya 3rd High Criminal Court. The case follows an investigation into ALDAŞ, a subsidiary of the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, and the ASAT General Directorate regarding alleged financial irregularities.

An indictment prepared by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office alleges that public losses totaling 399,507,249 Turkish Liras occurred between 2019 and 2025. The allegations include using company budgets for hotel stays and travel unrelated to business, paying salaries to individuals who did not actively work, and invoicing ASAT for expenses with an additional 15 percent markup.

During his defense, Muhittin Böcek denied the charges, stating that all transactions were conducted on a legal basis and that certain practices, such as the 15 percent fee, were established in previous administrations. He also addressed the appointment of Melek Kurukuma as an internal auditor, asserting that the appointment followed the company's articles of association and denied causing any public loss.