03.02.2026 20:02
The case of the 'Aziz İhsan Aktaş criminal organization', which is alleged to have organized tender processes by bribing mayors and is said to be led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, is ongoing. In today's hearing, Burak Kangal, the brother-in-law of the detained defendant Rıza Akpolat, made a defense regarding the villa that is claimed to belong to Akpolat but is said to be registered in his name. Stating that his annual income amounts to 7 million 830 thousand lira, Kangal said, "I do not understand the abnormality of having purchased this house."
Aziz İhsan Aktaş's trial, in which 200 defendants, including 7 mayors who were suspended from their duties, is being investigated as part of a criminal organization, has concluded its fifth hearing.
"25 MILLION LIRA HAS BEEN SHOWN AS THE MARKET VALUE"
During the hearing held in the hall opposite the Marmara Closed Prison by the Istanbul 1st Heavy Penal Court, detained defendant Burak Kangal, who made a defense, stated that it was claimed in the indictment that a property he acquired was derived from a crime. Kangal, who explained that he is the brother-in-law of defendant Rıza Akpolat, mentioned that he has an export company and that they produce clothing for soldiers abroad.
Kangal explained that his wife worked for many years as a senior manager and that they had savings, saying, "We decided to invest in a house, we looked for houses online. Rıza Akpolat lives next to Acarkent, and with their guidance, we looked for a house in that area through a real estate agent. We finally decided to buy a house in Acarkent and purchased it. We couldn't move in because I was taken into custody. It has been shown as 25 million lira market value. This is a situation that indicates market value in real estate across Turkey."
"MY ANNUAL INCOME EQUALS 7 MILLION 830 THOUSAND LIRA"
Defendant Kangal, who stated that his financial profile appeared insufficient to buy a house according to the MASAK report, said, "I have a 39% partnership in my company. My wife and I have 7 properties. The rental income from my houses is 960 thousand lira annually. I also receive a board fee from the company. My annual income equals 7 million 830 thousand lira. My background is clear."
In response to the question from the court president Oğuzhan Gül, "There are witness statements. There are claims that the villa actually belongs to Rıza Akpolat and that it was built in your name. What do you say?" defendant Kangal replied, "I do not agree with these claims. Someone says they heard it, and they are saying these things. We have been here for 7-8 months because someone said they heard it. My sister-in-law said you can also look at Acarkent. Since we were far away, they looked for us. We looked at many houses. They just visited because they were close. It is quite normal for them to look."
In response to President Gül's question, "Did you actually settle in this villa?" defendant Kangal said, "I couldn't move because of my daughter's school. I was taken into custody when the schools closed, so I couldn't move there."
"I ONLY FULFILLED MY DUTY"
Another detained defendant, Çağdaş Ateşci, who is the Director of Cleaning Affairs at Beşiktaş Municipality, stated that he served as a member of the tender commission and provided information about the tender processes. Defendant Ateşci claimed that he did not commit the crime of "manipulating the tender" and argued that the expert reports were erroneous.
Detained defendant Ferit Tutşi stated that he started working as a specialist officer at Beşiktaş Municipality and was later appointed as the director of support services in 2024. Defendant Tutşi claimed that he has been detained for 6 months for a crime he did not commit, stating that he is accused of "manipulating the tender."
Another detained defendant, Gülal Erdovan Anıl, said that he has been detained for about a year because he served as the Director of Support Services at Beşiktaş Municipality. Defendant Anıl explained that he transferred his duties to Ferit Tutşi, saying, "While I was in office, I would ensure that the tender processes were initiated. Many tenders have taken place during my time in office. I saw that there were errors and evaluations within the indictment itself. I only fulfilled my duty." Anıl, who claimed that he did not engage in any unlawful actions or fraud as a public employee, explained that they are audited by inspectors every year.
IT WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW
After the defenses of some detained defendants were taken, the hearing was adjourned until tomorrow. In the hearing, the defenses of a total of 28 detained defendants have been completed.