Concert investigation into Ankara Metropolitan Municipality: Lawsuit filed against 14 people

The investigation launched into allegations of "causing public loss" in expenditures related to concert organizations held by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) between 2021 and 2024 has been completed.

The 59-page indictment prepared by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has been accepted by the Ankara 34th High Criminal Court.

The indictment states that a lawsuit has been filed against 14 people, including former ABB Head of the Culture Department Hacı Ali Bozkurt and the current Head Haluk Erdemir, on charges of "qualified embezzlement" and "incitement to commit qualified embezzlement." The defendants face prison sentences ranging from 18 years to 31 years and 6 months.

PROSECUTORIAL INVESTIGATION COMPLETED

The investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office took into account the referral report prepared by the Ministry of Interior's Civil Inspection Board, the MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board) review, Court of Accounts audits, and expert reports.

Findings determined that a total public loss of 154 million 453 thousand 221 Turkish Lira and 60 kuruş was caused in 32 different concert service procurement contracts by the ABB.

DETENTIONS TOOK PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 23

As part of the investigation, 14 people, including former municipal bureaucrats and company executives, were detained on September 23. The suspects were taken to the courthouse after providing statements to teams from the Ankara Police Department's Financial Crimes Investigation Bureau on charges of "misconduct in office" and "rigging a tender."

Of the suspects who gave statements to the public prosecutor, 5 were arrested by the on-duty criminal judgeship of peace on charges of "embezzlement" and "rigging a tender," while 9 were released under judicial control conditions.

CASE TO BE HEARD AT ANKARA 34TH HIGH CRIMINAL COURT

In the indictment prepared following the completion of the investigation, prison sentences ranging from 7 years and 6 months to 31 years and 6 months were requested for a total of 14 defendants, 5 of whom are in custody, on charges of "qualified embezzlement."

The Ankara 34th High Criminal Court accepted the indictment and decided to proceed with the case.

News Source: 12punto