Tanju Özcan acquitted in 'hate and discrimination' case: Detention continues

Tanju Özcan, who was removed from his post as Mayor of Bolu and remains in detention as part of another investigation, appeared in court for the "Hate and Discrimination" trial regarding his policies toward refugees during his tenure. The court decided to acquit Özcan of the charges. However, Özcan remains in prison due to another ongoing case involving charges of "extortion by coercion".

The verdict was announced in the critical trial of former mayor Tanju Özcan, who occupied Turkey's agenda for a long time with the radical decisions he took regarding refugees in Bolu. In the final hearing of the case held at the Bolu 5th Criminal Court of First Instance, the court panel ruled that no criminal element had been established.

CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS HAD LED TO LAWSUITS

The practices implemented by Tanju Özcan during his mayoral term toward foreign nationals, which led to criminal complaints by non-governmental organizations and local residents, were as follows:

Termination of in-kind and cash assistance provided by the municipality to refugees living in the city.

Adoption of a municipal council decision to increase water usage fees for foreign residents by 10 times.

Setting the marriage fee tariff at 100 thousand TL to complicate marriage procedures for refugees.

ÖZCAN'S DEFENSE: "I ABANDONED THEM OF MY OWN WILL"

Presenting his defense against the opinion on the merits during the hearing, Tanju Özcan denied the accusations, stating that his actions were not put into practice and that he later abandoned these decisions. In his defense, Özcan stated the following:

"The prepared opinion is incomplete. I believe that no criminal element was formed because the actions alleged to constitute a crime did not constitute an act of execution, and also because I abandoned them of my own will. I request my acquittal."

Following the examination of the defenses and evidence, the court panel concluded that Özcan did not commit the crime of "hate and discrimination" and issued an acquittal.

WILL REMAIN IN PRISON DUE TO "EXTORTION" CHARGE

The legal battle of Tanju Özcan, who was acquitted in the hate and discrimination case, is not over yet. His detention continues within the scope of the "extortion by coercion" (obtaining benefits by force through the abuse of influence provided by duty) investigation conducted by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which was also cited as the reason for his removal from office. Özcan will continue to remain in prison due to the proceedings of the case related to this charge.