Prosecutor presents final opinion in Dilan and Engin Polat parking dispute case

The trial of Dilan and Engin Polat, who are currently in custody as part of a separate case regarding "money laundering," continued today over allegations that they assaulted a neighbor during a dispute over a parking space.

Attorneys for both sides and witnesses attended the hearing at the Anadolu 35th Criminal Court of First Instance.

Witness Mustafa Özalp, who testified during the hearing, stated that they were visiting the Polat couple on the day of the incident, saying, "Dilan Hanım's assistant said, 'Engin Bey, there is a problem with a car, it cannot be moved.' Engin Bey replied, 'Let's not have any unpleasantness, notify security and let them handle it.' Half an hour later, someone came to us and said, 'Dilan Hanım is being insulted, there is interference.' Engin Bey ran outside quickly. He was looking for who hit [the car]. He was very angry. Engin Bey knocked on the house door. The door was unlocked and opened on its own. I said, 'Brother, calm down, there is a child inside.' He was looking for the man; Engin did not enter. When they encountered the complainant, they had a verbal altercation where he asked, 'How can you insult my wife?'"

In his final opinion, the public prosecutor stated that the argument between the parties over a parking space turned into a fight. He requested that the charges of "insult" and "intentional injury" against Dilan Polat regarding the victim Metin S.A. be dropped due to the lack of a complaint, and that she be acquitted of the charge of "threatening" the victim Esra A. due to a lack of concrete evidence.

Regarding Engin Polat, the prosecutor requested that the charges of "insult," "injury," and "threatening with more than one person" against the victim Metin S.A. be dropped as the complaint was withdrawn. However, the prosecutor requested that Engin Polat be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in prison for the charge of "violation of residential immunity." The hearing was adjourned for a verdict.

ALLEGATIONS OF THREATS

The indictment prepared by the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office states that a party was held at the Polat couple's home in Çekmeköy on June 2, 2023, for Engin Polat's birthday, and that a guest's baby fell ill. It is alleged that the guest, heading to their parked car to go to the doctor, saw another vehicle in front of their own.

The indictment claims that Engin Polat was notified and went to the home of his neighbor, Metin S.A., to ask for the vehicle to be moved, but could not find him at home. It is further alleged that Engin and Dilan Polat later encountered Metin S.A. on the street, argued, and subsequently assaulted and threatened him as the dispute escalated.

The indictment notes that the complainant, Metin S.A., stated he had to leave his car on the street because vehicles arriving for the Polats were parking in the passage route. According to a report from the Istanbul Anadolu Forensic Medicine Branch Directorate, the complainant sustained minor injuries as a result of the assault.

The indictment seeks a prison sentence of up to 8 years and 4 months for Dilan Polat on charges of "insult," "injury," and "threatening with more than one person," and up to 11 years and 4 months for Engin Polat on charges of "insult," "injury," "threatening with more than one person," and "violation of residential immunity."

OTHER CASE AGAINST THE POLAT COUPLE

Meanwhile, the investigation conducted by the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against 24 suspects, including Engin Polat and Dilan Polat, for "prevention of money laundering," "violation of the Tax Procedure Law," and "violation of the law on the regulation of betting and games of chance in football and other sports competitions" has been completed.

In the indictment, which has been accepted by the High Criminal Court, it is requested that Dilan and Engin Polat be sentenced to a total of 20 to 40 years in prison each for the charges of "establishing and managing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes," "laundering assets derived from crime," and "violation of the Law on the Regulation of Betting and Games of Chance in Football and Other Sports Competitions."

Other suspects are also expected to receive varying prison sentences for different crimes.