# Şile Municipality corruption trial continues

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ile-municipality-corruption-trial
> Updated: 2026-11-05T04:57:00.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 3.

The corruption and bribery trial involving 53 defendants related to the Şile Municipality continues at the Istanbul Anadolu 27th High Criminal Court. The investigation, led by the Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, includes allegations of establishing a criminal organization, extortion, bribery, bid-rigging, fraud, and forgery of official documents.

Şile Mayor Özgür Kabadayı, identified in the indictment as the alleged leader of the criminal organization, faces potential prison sentences ranging from 33 years and 3 months to 92 years. During previous hearings, the suspended mayor provided a defense stating he lacked experience in local government prior to his candidacy and claimed he was encouraged to run by CHP officials.

Proceedings have focused on the tender process for the 35th Şile Cloth Festival, including artist payments and large-scale money transfers. Investigators utilized HTS records and MASAK financial reports to uncover illegal activities. Testimony from defendant Burç Civan indicated that festival organization contracts were awarded to S. Müzik within three days without market research. Another defendant, Evren Buçan, testified that certain files were submitted prematurely to avoid fee increases and alleged that he and a colleague were physically attacked for refusing requests that could have caused public loss.

As of November 2026, the court is continuing to review the statements of the 53 defendants involved in the investigation.

## Claims

- 46 defendants have been heard in the trial so far. (reported by 2 sources)
- The trial involves 53 defendants in total. (reported by 1 source)
- Özgür Kabadayı faces a potential prison sentence of 33 years 3 months to 92 years. (reported by 2 sources)
- The investigation includes charges of establishing a criminal organization, bribery, and tender fraud. (reported by 2 sources)
- The court adjourned the hearing until November 2. (reported by 2 sources)
- The 35th Şile Cloth Festival tender process is under scrutiny. (reported by 1 source)
- The festival organization was awarded to the firm S. Müzik. (reported by 1 source)

## Timeline

### 2026-11-05: Turkish municipal corruption trials: Bahçetepe sentenced, İmamoğlu and Kabadayı cases proceed

Turkish courts have sentenced Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe to prison for bribery, while major corruption trials involving Ekrem İmamoğlu and Özgür Kabadayı continue.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ile-mayor-zgr-kabaday-faces-corruption-and-bribery-trial

### 2026-10-27: Şile Municipality corruption trial continues in Istanbul

The corruption and bribery trial of former Şile Mayor Özgür Kabadayı and 52 others continues in Istanbul, with prosecutors seeking up to 92 years in prison.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ile-municipality-corruption-trial-continues-in-istanbul

### 2026-10-21: Şile Municipality corruption trial adjourned to October 26

The corruption trial involving 53 defendants, including Şile Mayor Özgür Kabadayı, has been adjourned to October 26.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ile-municipality-corruption-trial-adjourned-to-october-26

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Cite as: Şile Municipality corruption trial continues. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ile-municipality-corruption-trial