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Rıza Akpolat sentenced to 23 years in corruption and bribery trial
A major corruption trial involving Aziz İhsan Aktaş has resulted in significant sentences for several municipal officials. Former Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat was sentenced to 23 years in prison for bribery, bid rigging, and money laundering. The court also ordered the confiscation of numerous assets to be transferred to the state, including a $5.25 million villa in Beykoz, luxury vehicles, and several high-value apartments in Bebek and Ortaköy.
While Akpolat was convicted on several counts, the court acquitted him of 56 out of approximately 60 alleged actions. Furthermore, the central figure of the investigation, Aziz İhsan Aktaş, was acquitted of charges related to establishing a criminal organization, a development that has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders.
In a separate but related ruling within the same investigation, Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was sentenced to 8 months and 10 days for negligence of duty, though he was acquitted of forgery charges. Adana Mayor Zeydan Karalar also expressed strong opposition to the convictions, stating they lack legal and moral basis.
Separately, political leader Özgür Özel visited striking miners from Doruk Madencilik in Ankara, who are protesting unpaid wages and severance pay from Yıldızlar SSS Holding. Özel called for the state to appoint a trustee to the holding to ensure workers receive their due payments.
Entities
Ahmet Özer · Aziz İhsan Aktaş · 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
- [● 7 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
- [● 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] Beşiktaş Mayor 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. halktv.com.tr · www.karar.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Aziz İhsan Aktaş was acquitted of charges related to establishing a criminal organization. www.habereguven.com · www.cumhuriyet.com.tr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Rıza Akpolat received a 23-year prison sentence for bribery, bid rigging, and laundering assets derived from crime. www.takvim.com.tr · www.sabah.com.tr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Adana Mayor Zeydan Karalar stated that the conviction decision does not align with law or conscience. www.sondakika.com
- [● 3 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