Corruption earthquake in Kırıkkale: AKP mayor sentenced to 5 years in prison for bribery

CORRUPTION EARTHQUAKE IN KIRIKKALE: AKP MAYOR SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS IN PRISON FOR "BRIBERY"!

A verdict has been reached in the trial of AKP Keskin Mayor Ekmel Cönger, who was being tried on bribery charges in Kırıkkale. The court panel sentenced Cönger to 5 years, 2 months, and 15 days in prison for the crime of "accepting a bribe" and also ruled that he be deprived of certain rights.

Tense moments occurred during the final hearing of the case held at the Kırıkkale 1st High Criminal Court. While contractor Mustafa Yurtseven (M.Y.), one of the defendants being tried without arrest, and his lawyers were present in the courtroom, Keskin Mayor Ekmel Cönger, who faced a prison sentence request, did not attend the hearing.

6 YEARS FOR THE CONTRACTOR, 5 YEARS FOR THE MAYOR

Evaluating the defense's objections that evidence had not been collected and that the element of bribery had not been established, the court panel concluded that the elements of the crime were proven in light of the collected technical data and allegations, and announced the sentences:

Ekmel Cönger's sentence: He was sentenced to 5 years, 2 months, and 15 days in prison for the crime of "accepting a bribe."

The contractor's sentence: Contractor Mustafa Yurtseven, who was tried for "giving a bribe," was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison.

Deprivation of Public Office and Rights: The court decided to apply Article 53/5 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) for both defendants. In accordance with this decision, the defendants were banned from holding public office, voting, being elected, and exercising certain rights until their sentences are fully served.

"UNDERGOING TREATMENT AT THE HOSPITAL" DEFENSE WAS NOT ENOUGH

Taking the floor at the hearing, defendant contractor Mustafa Yurtseven repeated his previous claims, arguing that the money flow with the municipality was not a bribe and that he wanted to be acquitted.

The lawyer for Mayor Ekmel Cönger, who did not attend the hearing, stated that his client was undergoing treatment at a hospital due to health problems and completely denied the accusations. However, the court panel did not see any obstacle to concluding the case in line with the concrete evidence in the file.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVESTIGATION

The Kırıkkale Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had detected irregular cash flows between the contractor firm and the mayor during the direct procurement and tender processes of the Keskin Municipality, and the indictment prepared on charges of "accepting and giving bribes" was accepted by the 1st High Criminal Court, initiating the trial process. Following this conviction decision by the local court, the case is expected to be taken to the Court of Appeals.

News Source: 12punto