Rıza Akpolat's lawyer: There is no concrete evidence!

Görkem Gökçe, the lawyer for Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, who was arrested and sent to prison, has released a written statement regarding the process.

Gökçe said, "Although our client, Mr. Rıza Akpolat, could have been summoned to give his statement within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an unlawful arrest procedure was carried out against him in Balıkesir, where he had gone due to his dear father's illness. He was then held in custody at the Police Department for four full days without his statement being taken, and finally, the Criminal Judgeship of Peace decided to arrest him in an unlawful manner."

"Although the content of the file was hidden from our client and us as his defense attorneys during this process, it was observed that information and documents regarding the file content were published in some media outlets. In this way, an attempt was made to convict the client in the eyes of the public in advance, violating the presumption of innocence and the right not to be stigmatized, which are among the most important guarantees of criminal law, and undermining the right to a fair trial," said Gökçe, adding the following:

"In this context, it has been observed that attempts are being made to influence the judicial process by creating a false impression in the public opinion through certain allegations, information, and one-sided publications taken out of context by some media outlets; it is beyond dispute that these unfair attitudes and behaviors cannot be reconciled with the right of the free and impartial press to inform the public.

In reality, it was understood upon the taking of our client's statement after four days that the accusations directed at our client, Mr. Rıza Akpolat, are completely abstract, baseless, and speculative, that they are not based on any concrete evidence, and that many unlawful procedures were carried out during the investigation process. It is, of course, legally unacceptable to voice allegations that are impossible to take seriously in practice, in reason, and in law, such as the claim that our client, a successful mayor who was elected with a record number of votes and is a respected and reputable person in society, is supposedly a member of an organization, and furthermore, that he supposedly received bribes from the person alleged to be the leader of this organization."

"There is no doubt that depriving the client of his liberty with such speculative allegations, despite the absence of concrete evidence against him, violates the right to liberty and security of person, which is one of the most fundamental rights and freedoms," said Gökçe, concluding his statement as follows:

"Despite all these facts, the decision to arrest the client on stereotypical grounds is unlawful, and I respectfully inform the public that we will pursue all necessary legal avenues for him to be released and return to his duties as soon as possible."