06.11.2026 23:50
Hakan Bahçetepe, who was removed from his post as Mayor of Gaziosmanpaşa, was released from Marmara Prison in Silivri, where he had been detained for 17 months, under the condition of house arrest. In his first statement upon leaving the prison, Bahçetepe reacted to the court's decision. Rejecting the accusations against him, Bahçetepe said, "One person said they heard it. Ten people said there was no such thing, but our court deemed such a decision appropriate."
Hakan Bahçetepe, who left prison after 17 months, embraced his relatives who came to meet him. Answering questions from members of the press, Bahçetepe made striking statements regarding both the trial process and the other detained mayors.
SENTENCED TO 6 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS IN PRISON, RELEASED UNDER HOUSE ARREST
A verdict was issued in the trial of Hakan Bahçetepe, who was removed from his position as Mayor of Gaziosmanpaşa. The Istanbul 10th Heavy Penal Court sentenced Bahçetepe to 6 years and 3 months in prison for bribery. The court acquitted him of the other two charges. It was ruled that Bahçetepe, who had been detained for about 17 months at Marmara Prison in Silivri, be released subject to judicial control in the form of house arrest. After completing his prison procedures, Bahçetepe was greeted with applause by his relatives waiting outside for him.
"ONE PERSON SAID HE HEARD IT, 10 PEOPLE SAID THERE WAS NO SUCH THING"
After his release, Bahçetepe appeared before the cameras and commented on the accusations against him. Stating that he did not know Aziz İhsan Aktaş, Bahçetepe criticized the court's ruling. In his statement, Bahçetepe said: "I have been detained for 17 months. I do not know Aziz İhsan Aktaş. He himself also stated in court that he did not know me. He has no statement concerning me either. He said, 'I only said what I heard.' One person said he heard it; 10 people said there was no such thing, but our court considered it appropriate to rule this way. It ordered my release under house arrest. Of course, my lawyer colleagues will closely follow the process."
CALL FOR EKREM İMAMOĞLU AND OTHER MAYORS
Stating that families were the most affected during the 17 months he spent in prison, Bahçetepe called for the release of the other detained mayors as well. Bahçetepe said, "Of course, those most affected during this period have been families. I do not have a child, but we have friends inside who have children. I hope that as soon as possible, our Mayor Ekrem and our other mayors will be tried without detention and reunited with their families and children as soon as possible."
"MAY ALL OUR MAYORS BE FREE"
Referring also to other public officials as well as the detained mayors, Bahçetepe continued his statement with these words: "I hope that all our mayors, deputy secretaries-general, our member of parliament, other district mayors, deputy mayors, and bureaucrats will regain their freedom as soon as possible. May they join us and be reinstated in their duties. I hope they will soon take steps on the path of serving their country, state, nation, and flag. Wishing freedom for all our mayors, I wish you all a good evening."
OBJECTION PROCESS AGAINST COURT RULING HAS BEGUN
Bahçetepe also announced that the legal process regarding the prison sentence he received would continue. Stating that his lawyers would follow the higher court stage, Bahçetepe made the following assessment: "(The prosecutor) sought punishment for the first act. Acquittal for the second act. I was sentenced for the charge for which I was detained. I was acquitted of the matter for which I was not detained. My lawyer colleagues are also following the process regarding the first act. My lawyer colleagues will follow my higher court process there; they have objections."