[REVISION HISTORY]

Şile Municipality corruption trial continues

2 recorded revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-11-05 06:19 UTC → 2026-11-06 21:27 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The corruption and bribery trial involving 53 defendants related to the Şile Municipality ~~is proceeding~~ 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 ~~the seventh hearing,~~ previous hearings, the suspended mayor provided a ~~five-hour defense,~~ defense stating he lacked experience in local government ~~operations~~ 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. ~~To date, 46 defendants have been heard. The prosecutor has requested that~~ As of November 2026, the ~~detention~~ court is continuing to review the statements of 12 the 53 defendants ~~continue.~~ involved in the investigation.

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