28.11.2025 09:42
A verdict has been reached in the case where Burak Özdemir, known as CZN Burak, and his father were prosecuted for allegedly carrying out unauthorized construction in an area designated as an urban site, facing up to 5 years in prison. CZN Burak and his father were acquitted.
In Istanbul, the case against the phenomenon businessman Muhammed Burak Özdemir, known as CZN Burak, and his father İsmail Özdemir, who were accused of carrying out unauthorized construction in an area designated as a 'cultural heritage site', has been concluded with a request for up to 5 years in prison. The hearing took place at the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance, where the defendants' lawyers were present.
THEY WERE ACQUITTED
The court, announcing its decision regarding the case, ruled for the acquittal of the defendants Muhammed Burak Özdemir and İsmail Özdemir on the grounds that the legal elements of the crime of "violating the Law on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets No. 2863" were not fulfilled.
FROM THE INDICTMENT
In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was noted that after a report of unauthorized construction activities was received, access to the area in question was not possible, and an external inspection revealed that the structure was still under construction and the work had not yet been completed.
It was also stated in the indictment that no permit document was found regarding the work carried out in the area, and following a complaint about the aforementioned report, a criminal complaint was filed against the relevant parties regarding the applications that differed from the 2019 appearance of the property located in the vicinity of the cultural heritage site and required protection, without obtaining the Board's permission, leading to the initiation of an investigation against the suspects.
The indictment requested that the suspects Muhammed Burak Özdemir and İsmail Özdemir be sentenced to imprisonment of 2 to 5 years for the crime of "violating the Law on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets No. 2863."