Aziz İhsan Aktaş trial hearing postponed to July 13

The case dubbed the “Aziz İhsan Aktaş crime‑organization” trial involves about 200 defendants, including seven former mayors who were suspended from office. The proceedings are being heard by Istanbul’s 1st Heavy Penal Court, now in a new courtroom opposite the Marmara Closed Penitentiary due to space constraints.

Defendants’ lawyers argue that the charges lack concrete evidence and that prolonged pre‑trial detention is disproportionate. Several accused, such as former Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara, said: “There is no concrete evidence against me… we have been detained for too long.” The court scheduled a review of the detention status for July 10 and then adjourned the hearing to July 13.

The trial continues with the prosecution presenting its indictment while the defense reiterates requests for release, claiming the alleged crimes – bribery, illicit procurement and organized‑crime activities – have not been sufficiently proven.