Second hearing in Büyükçekmece Municipality case: Akgün defends 'transparent tenders'

The second hearing of the case involving 31 defendants, including the imprisoned Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Hasan Akgün, was held at the Istanbul 27th High Criminal Court. During the hearing at the Çağlayan Courthouse, the defense statements of the non-detained defendants and witness testimonies were heard.

There are 5 defendants currently being held in custody in the case. Akgün, who has been imprisoned in Silivri for approximately 1 year and 3 months, faces a potential prison sentence ranging from 68 to 183 years.

The first defense statement at the hearing was made by businessman Ali Nuhoğlu, who is being tried without detention. Nuhoğlu denied the allegation that he "received a villa in exchange for asphalt work," stating that he was unable to collect his receivables from the municipality. He said, "I am not after the villa. I do not accept the charge of 'laundering assets derived from crime.' I am a victim."

Subsequently, Hasan Akgün took the floor and argued that municipal tenders were conducted transparently. Akgün stated, "We have conducted our tenders transparently to this day. We have never faced any accusations from any state inspector regarding our tenders until now."

Akgün noted that Nuhoğlu had participated in and won the municipality's asphalt tender, and explained that requesting support from investors for additional asphalt poured outside the scope of the tender is a common practice in local governments. Akgün said, "Municipalities cannot operate without sponsors. This is a reality of Turkey."

Businessman Hamit Demir, one of the non-detained defendants, also argued that he became a sponsor for the additional asphalt of his own volition and that Akgün did not exert any pressure on him. Demir said, "I made all my payments officially and in accordance with the procedure. I did not become a sponsor by force. If there were something Hasan Akgün had demanded of me, I would have stated it here openly and with pleasure."

The hearing will continue tomorrow with the defense statements of the defendants and their lawyers. In the first hearing of the case held on July 16-17, businessman Atahan Bacınoğlu was released on the condition of house arrest, while it was decided that the detention of Akgün, Deputy Mayor of Büyükçekmece Ömer Kazancı, and businessmen Adem Çukur, Mehmet Kılıç, and Osman Yeşilgül would continue.