The fifth hearing of the case, which involves 50 defendants and was opened as part of an investigation into the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, was held at the Antalya 6th High Criminal Court.
Suspended Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek and his son Mustafa Gökhan Böcek attended the hearing as detainees. It was reported that former Antalya Provincial Police Chief İlker Arslan, who is among the defendants tried without detention, and the majority of the other non-detained defendants were not present in the courtroom.
In court, statements were taken from those among the 10 defendants indicted on charges of “bribery” who had not yet presented their defense in the previous hearing.
BRIBERY ALLEGATION FROM CONTRACTOR
Contractor M.S.A., a defendant tried without detention who joined the hearing via SEGBİS, stated that they had won a tender organized by the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and began work in 2019. Claiming that they could not receive their progress payments from the municipality, M.S.A. explained that they met with Muhittin Böcek and former Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General S.T. for this reason.
M.S.A. alleged that during the meeting, they were asked to provide a “contribution” to the municipality, and that Böcek requested a donation by stating that he provides scholarships to students. The defendant claimed that he initially said he could give 500 thousand liras, to which Böcek allegedly replied, “Then drink your tea and go.”
Arguing that he later paid a total of 4 million 250 thousand liras in installments out of concern that he would not receive his progress payments, M.S.A. alleged that former Deputy Secretary General S.T. told him that an additional 2.5 million liras was requested from him.
M.S.A. claimed that when he informed them he could not pay this money, S.T. spoke with Böcek, and Böcek said, “If he doesn't pay, there is no progress payment for him either.” M.S.A. alleged that following this, he and his son delivered 35 thousand dollars to S.T.
Announcing his interim opinion at the hearing, the public prosecutor requested the continuation of the detention of Muhittin Böcek and Mustafa Gökhan Böcek.
In his statement against the prosecutor's opinion, Muhittin Böcek argued that he had been trying to respond to the allegations against him since the beginning of the investigation and had not concealed any information. Stating that the trial should be conducted away from political debates and external influences, Böcek said, “Detention is not a method of punishment, but a measure applied to ensure the healthy conduct of the trial.”
Requesting that his health problems and the duration of his detention be taken into account, Böcek stated, “I am not asking for privileges. In addition to the psychological damage caused by the allegations against me, the duration of my detention and my health problems should not be ignored.”
Stating that 149 out of 151 people had been released during the process, which he noted had been ongoing for approximately 15 months, and that only he and his son remained in detention, Böcek expressed his sadness that the continuation of his detention was requested.
After the defenses, the court panel announced its interim decision and ruled for the continuation of the detention of Muhittin Böcek and his son Mustafa Gökhan Böcek. The case was adjourned to January 4, 2027.
News Source: 12punto
