30.01.2026 16:10
On the fourth day of the first hearing of the "Aziz İhsan Aktaş criminal organization" case, officials from Esenyurt Municipality made their defense. The municipality's Director of Cleaning Affairs, Mehmet Şimşek, stated, "I did not commit a crime. While I was in custody, my son started school. He is learning to draw lines. My son counts his father's dawns with the lines he draws," and requested his acquittal.
It is claimed that a criminal organization, allegedly led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, organized tender processes by bribing mayors, and the trial of 200 defendants is continuing on the fourth day with the defendants' defenses.
"IF THE SIGNATURE IS MINE, I WILL SERVE MY SENTENCE"
Defendant İbrahim Halil Çalış, the Deputy Mayor of Esenyurt, stated in his defense, "I believe we are all innocent. Despite two expert reports, it is stated in the indictment that I interfered with the tender. The reason for this is my phone record with Aziz İhsan Aktaş, Celal Yıldız explaining to me that he did not want to participate in the tender, and my knowledge and understanding of the issues. I was detained on January 13, 2025. If the signature on the documents belongs to me, I will serve my sentence. Any punishment given to me will be light. Let it be investigated whether that signature belongs to me or not," he said.
The presiding judge asked the defendant about the allegations in the indictment that he changed the specifications as the organization wanted. Defendant Çalış replied, "This allegation is based solely on a HTS record."
"MY SON COUNTS HIS FATHER'S DAWN WITH THE LINES HE DRAWS"
Mehmet Şimşek, the Director of Cleaning Affairs of Esenyurt Municipality, stated in his defense, "I worked at Ataşehir Municipality for 10 years. After that, I served as a director in various departments. I am currently working at Esenyurt Municipality. I did not commit a crime. I did not commit a crime in the tenders where it is alleged that I interfered with the tender process. While I was in custody, my son started school. He is learning to draw lines; my son counts his father's dawn with the lines he draws. I request my acquittal and release," he said.
The court panel took a break for about 1 hour. After the break, the trial will continue with the defendants' defenses being taken.