13.07.2025 11:31
As part of the "bribery" investigation conducted against Şile Municipality, a lawyer responsible for legal affairs at the municipality was caught red-handed while receiving a bribe of 20,000 euros in exchange for issuing building permits. Footage of the suspect lawyer negotiating the bribe has emerged. Six individuals, including Mayor Özgür Kabadayı, have been referred to the courthouse.
The Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office conducted an operation on July 10 against the Şile Municipality for the crimes of 'establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime', 'bribery', 'corruption', and 'interfering with a tender'. During the operation, 6 people, including Şile Mayor Özgür Kabadayı, were detained.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF BRIBERY
In the investigations carried out based on witness statements, it was recorded that suspects, including the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and the Legal Affairs Officer within the Municipality, systematically requested and received bribes using expressions such as 'the mayor's request', 'help', and similar phrases. During the operation, Lawyer A.Ş., responsible for Legal Affairs at Şile Municipality, was caught in the act of receiving a bribe of 20,000 euros in exchange for the issuance of building permits.
"I WANT TO ANSWER IN THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE REGARDING BRIBERY"
In the statement taken from the suspect lawyer A.Ş., he said, "I made a legal consultancy contract with Şile Municipality in March 2025, and in this context, I am responsible for answering questions related to the Municipality's Zoning Directorate, Real Estate Directorate, and Planning Directorate when a legal question is asked. Regarding bribery, I want to answer this question in the prosecutor's office, citing Article 58 of the Attorneyship Law."
"I AM NOT THE PERSON REFERRED TO AS THE MAYOR"
Şile Mayor Özgür Kabadayı, who gave a statement as a suspect, said, "When I took office, I delegated my authorities to my assistants, and I have no knowledge of the irregular transactions that took place. In some sections, the person referred to as the mayor is not me. It is the Deputy Mayor T.T.Ö."
6 PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE MAYOR, WERE REFERRED TO THE COURT
6 people, including Şile Mayor Özgür Kabadayı, who were detained as part of the investigation, were referred to the court.