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Rıza Akpolat sentenced to 23 years in corruption trial
A major corruption trial in Istanbul has resulted in significant prison sentences and asset seizures. Rıza Akpolat, the former Beşiktaş Mayor, was sentenced to 23 years and 7 days in prison for bribery, bid rigging, and money laundering. Despite being acquitted of 56 out of approximately 60 alleged actions, the court ordered the confiscation of several high-value assets, including a $5.25 million villa and luxury vehicles, to be transferred to the state.
The trial, which involved 200 defendants and centered on an alleged criminal organization led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, saw mixed results. While Aktaş and Baki Nugay were acquitted of charges related to establishing a criminal organization, several other defendants received sentences for membership or aiding the group. The court also ordered the seizure of properties in Bebek, Ortaköy, and Beykoz.
In a separate but related development, mining workers from Doruk Madencilik and Eti Gümüş, part of Yıldızlar SSS Holding, have been protesting in Ankara for 16 days over unpaid wages and severance. The protest has led to the arrest of Bağımsız Maden-İş General President Gökay Çakır and Organizing Expert Başaran Aksu on charges of inciting hatred and enmity. Political leaders, including Yeni Parti leader Özgür Özel, have visited the protesters, calling for the company to be placed under trusteeship or nationalized to ensure workers receive their dues.
Entities
Ahmet Özer · Aziz İhsan Aktaş · Bağımsız Maden-İş · Beşiktaş Municipality · Osman Kavala · Rıza Akpolat · SSS Yıldızlar Holding · Yeni Parti · Yıldızlar SSS Holding · Zeydan Karalar · Özgür Özel
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] Özgür Özel claimed that the 'criminal organization' designation was used to bring defendants from other cities to Istanbul for trial. www.yorumla.net · www.habereguven.com · www.guneydoguekspres.com · www.medyagazete.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] Özgür Özel criticized the state for behaving like a structure used for bargaining or harm rather than a legitimate state. www.guneydoguekspres.com · www.yorumla.net · www.habereguven.com · www.medyagazete.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Rıza Akpolat received a prison sentence of 20 years for the remaining charges. www.guneydoguekspres.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] Aziz İhsan Aktaş and Baki Nugay were acquitted of charges related to establishing a criminal organization. www.yorumla.net · www.habereguven.com · www.guneydoguekspres.com · www.medyagazete.com · www.tv5.com.tr
- [● 10 SOURCES] Özgür Özel visited miners protesting unpaid wages at SSS Yıldızlar Holding in Ankara. www.guneydoguekspres.com · www.yorumla.net · www.habereguven.com · www.medyagazete.com · www.gercekgundem.com · +3 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Özgür Özel called for the immediate release of Osman Kavala following European Court of Human Rights rulings. www.guneydoguekspres.com · www.gercekgundem.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] Rıza Akpolat was acquitted of 56 out of approximately 60 alleged actions. www.guneydoguekspres.com · www.yorumla.net · www.habereguven.com · www.medyagazete.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was sentenced to 8 months and 10 days in prison for negligence of duty.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Aziz İhsan Aktaş was acquitted of charges related to establishing a criminal organization. www.habereguven.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Adana Mayor Zeydan Karalar stated that the conviction decision does not align with law or conscience. www.haberport.com · www.aksam.com.tr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Rıza Akpolat was sentenced to 23 years in prison for bribery, bid rigging, and laundering assets derived from crime. www.takvim.com.tr · www.sabah.com.tr · www.tv5.com.tr
- [● 5 SOURCES] The court ordered the confiscation of several assets, including a $5.25 million villa and luxury vehicles, to be transferred to the state. www.takvim.com.tr · www.sabah.com.tr · www.gzt.com · www.tv5.com.tr