Bursa municipality corruption case: Bozbey remains in detention

The second hearing of the Bursa 2nd High Criminal Court regarding zoning and corruption allegations in the Nilüfer district has concluded. The case involves 63 defendants, including former Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey and former Nilüfer Mayor Turgay Erdem. The court decided to release six defendants under judicial control, while the detention of 10 defendants, including Bozbey and Erdem, will continue.

The indictment includes severe allegations such as bribery, establishing a criminal organization, and money laundering. Prosecutors have requested prison sentences of up to 402 years for Bozbey and up to 946 years for Erdem. The next hearing is scheduled for November 30, 2026.

During the proceedings, İYİ Party Bursa Deputy Hasan Öztürk raised concerns regarding a change in the judicial panel. Öztürk questioned the legal and administrative reasons for replacing the court members and the prosecutor, noting that the new judges had not witnessed the initial testimonies. He also criticized the fact that the trial is being conducted behind closed doors from the press.