28.01.2026 17:52
Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zeydan Karalar, who was arrested and suspended from his duties in the organized crime case, made a defense statement. Karalar said, "I am here because of the contradictory statements of Baki Nugay, who wants to benefit from effective remorse. I have been in custody for 7 months. We are entering the 8th month, and this is unacceptable. I am not a person who is afraid of being tried. My home and office were thoroughly searched. No evidence of any crime was found."
Aziz İhsan Aktaş is being tried in a case involving 200 defendants, including 7 mayors who have been suspended from their duties, on the second day of the hearing where the defenses of the detained defendants are being taken.
THE AZIZ IHSAN AKTAŞ CASE CONTINUES
In the courtroom across from the Marmara Closed Penal Institution, presided over by the Istanbul 1st Heavy Penal Court, some of the detained defendants, including Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara, Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin, Ceyhan Mayor Kadir Aydar, Adana Metropolitan Mayor Zeydan Karalar, and Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, who were suspended from their duties after their arrests, were present along with the parties' lawyers.
ZEYDAN KARALAR MADE A DEFENSE
Zeydan Karalar made a defense. The indictment included a statement from Baki Nugay, who won the cleaning services tender during Zeydan Karalar's term as Seyhan Mayor. In his statement, Baki Nugay mentioned that they participated in tenders at Seyhan Municipality and that his company won the tenders related to cleaning services, stating, "I had difficulty receiving the payments due under the tenders. At that time, I personally spoke with Seyhan Mayor Zeydan Karalar. Zeydan Karalar told me that in order to receive regular payments, a certain amount needed to be paid to them every month and that we should carry out this process with the cleaning services director Özcan Zenger. I knew that if we did not accept his request, they would delay our payments. I had to accept his offer."
"A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE DEBTS CAME FROM THE PREVIOUS MUNICIPALITY"
In his defense, Karalar stated that when he became mayor, the municipality was in a "bankrupt" state, and despite the pandemic and the earthquake, they managed to provide significant services by maintaining financial discipline, saying: "Zeydan Karalar has become a beloved and appreciated figure with his inclusive attitude. Zeydan Karalar is being tried before you today. A significant portion of the debts comes from the previous municipality. Mayors have no role in winning or losing tenders. The alleged crime occurred before the 2019 elections."
"WHY AM I INVOLVED IN THE FILE AFTER 2019?"
Why am I involved in the file after 2019? I am from Adana; what am I doing in Silivri? Aziz İhsan Aktaş is being released by benefiting from effective remorse. Baki Nugay also gives a statement immediately afterward. I had no knowledge of anything; I was in Istanbul to see my sister. The police knocked on the door. I never expected something like this in my life. I was taken before I could eat the pastries my sister made. I actually learned at the police station what they would ask me.
"I AM HERE BECAUSE OF BAKI NUGAY'S CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS"
We took on some debt at Seyhan Municipality between 2014-2019, but we resolved it in a short time. We did not harm any contractors. We requested all official documents from Seyhan Municipality regarding payments. We saw that the payments for the entitlements were made very regularly and presented them to the court. They said, 'I couldn't receive my payments, so I went to Zeydan Karalar.' Payments were made regularly. It is contrary to the ordinary course of life. I am here because of Baki Nugay's contradictory statements, who wants to benefit from effective remorse.
"I AM NOT A PERSON WHO FEARS BEING TRIED"
I have been detained for 7 months. We are entering the 8th month; this is unacceptable. I am not a person who fears being tried. My home and office were thoroughly searched. No evidence of any crime was found. I am someone who has never deviated from the truth in my life. I am separated from my Adana brothers who support me. My innocence is evident. I had no discussion with Baki Nugay regarding the entitlements. This company is one that was left to us from the previous term. Payments were made very regularly from the time I became mayor. Payments were made regularly; why would he come and ask me for money? Payments were being made regularly," he said.
The court president stated that images were recorded in the courtroom after Karalar's defense. Due to the images, it was announced by the court president that no spectators would be allowed in future sessions. After the lawyers promised that there would be no repeat of the incident of recording images, the court president stated that spectators would be allowed, but if the situation were to repeat, no spectators would be allowed again. The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow to continue with the defendants' defenses.