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Turkey corruption trials: Bolu and Istanbul municipal cases proceed
Legal proceedings continue in two major corruption cases in Turkey. In the Bolu Municipality case, former Mayor Tanju Özcan, who has been in detention for over six months, appeared via video link. A contractor testified that he was pressured to pay 3.5 million lira to resolve licensing issues, alleging that municipal officials threatened to stall his business if payments were not made. The witness claimed to have provided 1 million lira in cash and a 1.5 million lira check.
Simultaneously, the trial regarding an alleged criminal organization linked to Ekrem İmamoğlu is progressing. Defendants provided testimony regarding a 'system' of influence within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Eyüp Subaşı, owner of Panoffect Medya, testified that he was pressured to transfer digital advertising assets to another firm and claimed his company paid 682 million lira in rent without receiving public funds. Other defendants testified about funds being collected to support political campaigns and social media management. Additionally, a businessman claimed that a consultant for İmamoğlu requested 500,000 dollars in bribes, receiving 200,000 dollars upfront.
Entities
Bolu · Bolu Municipality · Ekrem İmamoğlu · Eyüp Subaşı · Fatih Keleş · Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality · Mehmet Selim İmamoğlu · Murat Ongun · Nazmi Güzel · Tanju Özcan
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Necmettin Şimşek claimed Turan Aydoğan requested 500,000 dollars in bribes and received 200,000 dollars upfront.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Nazmi Güzel stated he provided 1 million lira in cash and a 1.5 million lira check. www.bolutakip.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Nazmi Güzel claimed Tanju Özcan requested 3.5 million lira. www.bolutakip.com · www.haber3.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Prosecutors are seeking prison sentences for Ekrem İmamoğlu ranging from 828 to 2,352 years.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Mehmet Selim İmamoğlu claimed the 388,303 euro transferred to his Croatian company was a loan from his mother and grandfather.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Sarp Yalçınkaya testified that money was collected for the presidential election and social media management. www.karsmanset.com · www.61saat.com · www.aksam.com.tr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Eyüp Subaşı claimed his company, Panoffect Medya, paid 682 million lira in rent to the public without receiving public funds. www.ardahanhaber.com.tr · www.gazetebirlik.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Tanju Özcan has been in detention for 6 months and 8 days. epochtimestr.com