It was claimed he was a complainant against Tanju Özcan... That supermarket official spoke: 'I did not file a complaint'

Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan was arrested on charges of "extortion" over allegations that chain supermarkets were forced to make donations to a foundation established to provide scholarships to students. However, one of the supermarket officials mentioned in the file stated in their prosecutor's testimony that they were not a complainant, adding that Özcan's arrest was surprising to them.

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It was claimed he was a complainant against Tanju Özcan... That supermarket official spoke: 'I did not file a complaint'

As part of the investigation conducted into Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, allegations surfaced that chain supermarkets were forced to make donations to a foundation established to provide scholarships to students.

Özcan, the Mayor of Bolu, was arrested on charges of "extortion" due to the aforementioned allegations.

The investigation file included claims that pressure was exerted on some chain supermarkets to make donations to the foundation.

SUPERMARKET OFFICIAL: "I DID NOT FILE A COMPLAINT"

A.B., who was an official at one of the supermarkets mentioned in the process that led to Özcan's arrest, made statements regarding the matter.

In a statement to journalist Saygı Öztürk, A.B. stated that they were not a complainant and used the following expressions:

"I did not file a complaint. The public prosecutor summoned me to testify. I didn't even know what subject I was being summoned for. I learned that I was summoned because I was one of those who attended the meeting with the municipal official. I realized this when I stood before the prosecutor."

"THE COMPANY DID NOT FILE A COMPLAINT EITHER"

In their explanation regarding the testimony given to the prosecutor's office, A.B. stated that the company did not file a complaint either.

The supermarket official continued their words as follows:

"The company did not file a complaint, and I had already left that company and started working at another one. When the prosecutor asked if I was a complainant against the municipality, I said I was not. I heard that Tanju Özcan had been taken into custody. I was shocked."

CHP DEPUTY VISITED HIM IN PRISON

Cavit Arı visited Tanju Özcan, who is being held in prison in Ankara.

Arı, a Republican People's Party (CHP) Antalya Deputy, made statements regarding Özcan's situation in prison after the visit.

Arı stated that Özcan is staying alone in a three-person cell in prison.

"DETENTION MAY BE RESOLVED IN A WEEK OR 10 DAYS"

Cavit Arı stated that the detention process for Özcan could be resolved in a short time.

Arı expressed that this period could become clear within approximately one week to 10 days.

ADVERTISING AND BILLBOARD EXPLANATION

Cavit Arı also shared the information that Tanju Özcan conveyed to him.

According to what Arı relayed, the process was described as follows:

"There are billboards from which municipalities normally receive advertising revenue. The foundation established to help students rents these billboards. Advertisements are taken for these spaces. It is suggested to those supermarkets that they place advertisements and that income be generated for the students."

Arı stated that some supermarkets filed complaints with the allegation that advertisements were requested by force, and used the following expressions:

"They are complaining about Tanju Özcan, claiming that advertisements were requested by force. In the end, they receive a service in return; they are placing an ad. Otherwise, it is not a case of saying 'Take money there' without receiving a service."