Release decision in Gaziosmanpaşa case

An interim decision has been announced in the trial of 9 defendants, including the suspended Mayor of Gaziosmanpaşa, Hakan Bahçetepe, and former CHP Party Assembly member Baki Aydöner.

Bahçetepe, Aydöner, and the defendants who are being tried without arrest attended the hearing held at the Istanbul 10th High Criminal Court. Bahçetepe faces up to 24 years in prison on charges of "laundering assets derived from crime," "bribery," and "unjust acquisition, concealment, or hiding of assets."

In his defense during the hearing, Bahçetepe denied the accusations directed at him in the file. Stating that he does not know Aziz İhsan Aktaş, Bahçetepe argued that there is no concrete evidence against him, saying, "Forget concrete evidence or strong suspicion of a crime; there is not even a single statement from a victim against me."

Bahçetepe also responded to allegations regarding base station records. Stating that he went to the construction site to celebrate Labor Day on May 1, Bahçetepe noted that an AK Party council member was also with him, adding, "There is an AK Party council member with me, yet there is an accusation against me. I do not know Aziz İhsan Aktaş."

Bahçetepe's lawyers requested his release, stating that there is no evidence to be tampered with and no flight risk in the file. Lawyers for the other defendants also requested that if a decision is made to continue detention, it should be justified.

Detained defendant Baki Aydöner said in his defense that he did not receive money from Aziz İhsan Aktaş. Aydöner requested his release, saying, "I have been detained for 16 months for something I was not involved in. What would I tamper with, where would I flee?"

In its interim decision, the court panel ruled for the release of Baki Aydöner. The court decided that Hakan Bahçetepe's detention should continue and adjourned the hearing to October 27.

The indictment lists Aziz Lal, Aziz İhsan Aktaş, Baki Aydöner, Erdal Celal Aksoy, Gözde Bahçetepe, Gürkan Dölekli, Hakan Bahçetepe, Seza Büyükçulha, and Özer Ayık as suspects. It was reported that Aziz İhsan Aktaş, who testified under the scope of effective remorse, alleged that 300 thousand dollars were given to Bahçetepe through Özer Ayık to obtain an excavation permit from the Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality. Bahçetepe denied this allegation, arguing that the excavation permit was obtained unanimously by the municipal council and the relevant commissions.