862-page indictment: Prison sentences sought for Bozbey and Erdem

The 862-page indictment, prepared as part of an investigation conducted by the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and accepted by the Bursa 2nd High Criminal Court, levels various charges against 63 defendants, including the suspended Mayor of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Mustafa Bozbey.

In the file involving a total of 63 defendants, it is stated that 37 are currently in custody, with detailed assessments provided regarding charges of "establishing and managing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes," "membership in an organization," "bribery," "laundering assets derived from crime," and "causing zoning pollution."

ALLEGATION OF TWO SEPARATE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE INDICTMENT

The indictment describes the structure and operations of two separate criminal organizations allegedly active under the leadership of Mustafa Bozbey and the then-Deputy Mayor of Nilüfer, Turgay Erdem.

The file alleges that a specific organizational structure was created by the then-Mayor of Nilüfer, Mustafa Bozbey, that the continuity of this structure was maintained through the use of public power, and that income derived from crime was laundered through family members.

Furthermore, it is among the allegations that unlawful instructions were given to individuals claimed to be members of the organization.

LICENSES AND ZONING FILES UNDER SCRUTINY

The indictment alleges that individuals with signatures on construction permits carried out unlawful orders.

According to information in the file, expert reports prepared by the Bursa Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Ministry of Interior's Chief Civil Inspectors identified non-compliance with regulations in certain building permits and occupancy permits.

"SINGLE SIGNATURE" AUTHORITY ALLEGATION

One of the striking headings in the indictment is the "single signature" authority allegedly granted to Turgay Erdem.

In the file prepared by the prosecutor's office, it is alleged that Mustafa Bozbey granted authority to the then-Deputy Mayor of Nilüfer, Turgay Erdem, in a manner contrary to procedures and principles, and that within this scope, projects contrary to zoning regulations were licensed and bribes were received from certain company owners in exchange for irregular floor area ratio increases.

The indictment states that although there is no "coordinator deputy mayor" title in municipal organizations, Turgay Erdem was assigned with this title.

Stating that project licenses were approved with a single signature within the scope of this authorization, the indictment claims that the assignment in question was contrary to procedure and law.

ALLEGATION OF ESTABLISHING SHELL COMPANIES

The prosecutor's file also alleges that, in line with the instructions and guidance of Mustafa Bozbey, shell companies were established by certain individuals within the organizational hierarchy.

It is alleged that real estate transfers with unknown sources were made to these companies, that these transactions were carried out under the guise of commercial activity, and that attempts were made to conceal the proceeds of crime.

The indictment alleges that after the income obtained was circulated through shell companies and third parties, it was transferred to Bozbey's family members in the form of large money transfers.

MASAK REPORTS ENTERED THE FILE

The file also includes the allegation that Turgay Erdem requested real estate from certain contractors in exchange for irregular floor area ratio increases.

The indictment, which states that real estate was transferred to shell companies from the suspect contractors, expresses that these transactions were shown as sales, but no account movements related to title deed transfers were found in MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board) reports.

ARCHITECTURAL FIRM ALLEGATION

The indictment alleges that the architectural drawings for some projects were commissioned to a business named TİBA Mimarlık "in line with the instructions of the organization leader."

In the file, which states that the company in question belongs to defendant İldam Aydın Bozbey, it is alleged that fees above the market value were charged for the projects and that financial benefits were attempted to be concealed through this method.

It is also alleged that Turgay Erdem had a partnership in this company in the past.

SERES GAYRİMENKUL AND NİLVAK DETAIL

The indictment also includes assessments that some companies were used as shells.

The file states that Mustafa Bozbey was seen working as a sales representative and consultant at Seres Gayrimenkul Yatırım AŞ in 2021, and alleges that there were intensive money transfers between Bozbey's wife, Seden Bozbey, and SERES Gayrimenkul under the description of "Fide AŞ Debt."

The prosecutor's office also alleged that it was determined that money transfers were made to the NİLVAK Foundation, which was established by Mustafa Bozbey in 1999 and in which family members are involved in the management.

ALLEGATION THAT BRIBES WERE DISTRIBUTED BY HAND

The indictment alleges that Turgay Erdem directed company representatives who wanted to discuss building permits to certain organization managers.

The prosecutor's office alleged that Erdem distributed the bribes he received by hand among the organization members and that the majority of the cash traffic was conducted through him.

REQUEST FOR UP TO 402 AND 946 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT

In the indictment, a total of up to 402 years of imprisonment was requested for Mustafa Bozbey on charges of "establishing and managing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes," "accepting bribes," "causing zoning pollution," and "unlawful assumption of public duty."

For Turgay Erdem, a total of up to 946 years of imprisonment was requested within the scope of various charges.