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[POLITICS] · Türkiye · 88 sources

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Turkish opposition mayors convicted in major corruption trial

An Istanbul court has issued verdicts in a major corruption case involving 200 defendants, centered on allegations that businessman Aziz İhsan Aktaş used bribery and bid-rigging to secure municipal contracts. While the court acquitted all defendants of charges related to forming or leading a criminal organization, several high-profile mayors from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) received prison sentences for bribery and tender manipulation.

Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat received the heaviest sentence, totaling over 23 years in prison. Other convicted officials include Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin (8 years, 4 months), Adana Metropolitan Mayor Zeydan Karalar (6 years, 3 months), Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara (6 years, 8 months), and Ceyhan Mayor Kadir Aydar (5 years, 10 months). Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer received an 8-month sentence for negligence, with the execution suspended.

Aziz İhsan Aktaş was acquitted of organized crime charges but was sentenced to 2 years, 8 months, and 15 days for bid-rigging. Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere was acquitted of all charges. The ruling has sparked political debate, with critics labeling the proceedings as politically motivated attempts to weaken the CHP, while the government maintains the judiciary's independence.

Entities

Avcılar Municipality · Aziz İhsan Aktaş · Beşiktaş Municipality · Esenyurt Municipality · Istanbul 1. Heavy Penal Court · Istanbul 1st High Criminal Court · Oya Tekin · Republican People's Party · Rıza Akpolat · Turkey · Zeydan Karalar

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Başkanlara ceza yağdı [www.sozcu.com.tr]