Tanju Özcan: Personnel were punished for insufficient inspections, now excessive inspections are being questioned

The first hearing of the trial, in which 19 defendants including Tanju Özcan, who was suspended from his post as Mayor of Bolu, are being tried, continues with the defendants' testimonies. In the trial, which began with the acceptance of a 178-page indictment prepared as part of an investigation launched upon the notification of the Ministry of Interior's Civil Inspection Board, the defendants appeared before the judge once again on charges of "extortion by coercion," "attempted extortion," "bribery," "qualified fraud," and "violation of the Law on Foundations and Associations."

Allegations of pressure on chain supermarkets were addressed during the hearing.

The indictment alleges that Özcan held meetings with market representatives in his office, requested that some firms sign advertising contracts with Bolu Bel Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., and applied pressure by conducting municipal police inspections of unprecedented intensity on firms that did not accept the agreement.

Defendants called it an "advertising agreement"

Defending himself against the allegations, detained defendant and BOLSEV Board Member Ali Sarıyıldız argued that the process was conducted entirely within the framework of a commercial advertising agreement. Addressing the allegations regarding his duties at the municipality, Sarıyıldız said, "I did not have a position at the municipality when the market incident began. The process was carried out through BOLSEV A.Ş. There were firms that wanted to advertise, and there were none that did not want to."

"There is no coercion or instruction"

Detained defendant and Bolu Deputy Mayor Süleyman Can stated that he did not accept the accusations against him, saying, "The statements I gave to the prosecutor's office are valid. I do not accept the accusations referred to. I absolutely did not give any instructions to the head of the municipal police. There is no question of any coercion."

Regarding the allegations about the markets, Can said, "I do not know any market officials. When a meeting was held, there were nearly 20 market officials present. The inspections were carried out routinely and within the framework of the legislation. Inspections had already been intensified after the Kartalkaya incident."

"I did not receive any instructions"

Non-detained defendant and Municipal Police Chief Hakan Yılmaz stated in his defense that he did not attend any meetings and did not receive any instructions, saying, "I did not receive instructions from anyone. I did not attend any meetings. I only performed my duties within the scope of the municipal police's authority."

"Inspectors stated that the procedures were in accordance with the law"

Detained defendant Tanju Özcan, in his defense, said, "Regarding the allegations that money was forcibly taken from chain supermarkets for the foundation, I would like to remind you that a market official filed a complaint regarding the municipality in 2024. It is claimed that the markets were inspected because they did not advertise, but we conducted inspections even before we held meetings with them. Inspectors have stated that the procedures carried out were in accordance with the law."

"Personnel were punished due to deficiencies, now the prosecutor's office is asking 'Why did you conduct too many inspections?'"

Stating that municipal personnel were punished due to deficiencies in inspections during the Kartalkaya fire, Özcan said, "Right now, the prosecutor's office is asking, 'Why did you conduct too many inspections?' Markets sell everything; there was even one selling boats. What about the other tradesmen? Of course, we will inspect them. The municipal police teams have done meticulous work. It was determined during the inspection that two markets had not applied for the necessary licenses. They did not update their codes, and this has a cost. The Bolu municipal police uncovered this. Their concern is not advertising. They are already deducting the advertisements they make from their taxes anyway."

As the first day's session of the hearing concluded, the court panel adjourned the hearing until tomorrow morning.

News Source: 12punto