10.06.2026 20:51
An investigation has been launched against Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, who was arrested for extortion by coercion, on charges of 'sexual assault by abusing the influence provided by public office' following a woman's complaint. The woman claimed she was forced into a non-consensual relationship due to fear of losing her job.
An investigation has been launched on charges of "sexual assault" against Tanju Özcan, who was removed from his position as Mayor of Bolu after being arrested for "extortion by abuse of office."
SEXUAL ASSULT CHARGES AGAINST TANJU ÖZCAN
Ö.Ç., one of the complainants in the "blackmail" case at Bolu 6th Criminal Court of First Instance, where Özcan is a defendant-complainant, went to the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and filed a complaint alleging that she was sexually assaulted by Tanju Özcan.
Following Ö.Ç.'s complaint, an investigation was launched against Özcan on charges of "sexual assault by abusing the influence provided by public office, guardianship, or service relationship." Additionally, investigations were initiated against the woman's ex-boyfriend M.E.A., Özcan's private secretary Ö.N.Y., and his driver S.Ç.
"TANJU ÖZCAN SAID HE LIKED ME"
In her statement to the prosecutor's office, Ö.Ç. stated that 5-6 months after starting to work at Bolu Municipality, she was called to the meeting room through Özcan's private secretary and driver, saying, "Initially, he asked if there were any work-related issues. Then he said he had obtained information about my ex-boyfriend M.E.A. and that he would protect me. In subsequent meetings, Tanju Özcan said he liked me and wanted to see me." she alleged.
Ö.Ç. claimed that after a while, Özcan expressed his desire to be together and threatened to fire her if she did not accept.
"WE HAD SEX WITHOUT MY CONSENT"
Arguing that she had to respond to messages out of fear of losing her job, Ö.Ç. alleged that she initially did not accept invitations to come to the hotel, but later went to the hotel, where she was taken by the driver, met several times, and had sex without her consent due to threats.
Ö.Ç. filed complaints against her ex-boyfriend M.E.A., Tanju Özcan, Private Secretary Ö.N.Y., and driver S.Ç.
As part of the investigation, driver S.Ç., whose statement was taken by the gendarmerie, claimed that in 2024 and 2025, upon Özcan's instructions by phone twice, he picked up Ö.Ç. from the city center and took her to and from the hotel.
BLACKMAIL CASE
Tanju Özcan, who was removed from his position as Mayor of Bolu after being arrested for "extortion by abuse of office," and three defendants are being tried on charges of "blackmail" at Bolu 6th Criminal Court of First Instance.
In the indictment prepared by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it is requested that defendant-complainant Tanju Özcan be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in prison and a judicial fine of 5,000 days, as well as being deprived of certain rights, for the crime of "blackmail" against the victim woman Ö.Ç.
In the indictment, it is also requested that defendants Boluspor Club President E.B., his driver M.E.A., and Bolu Municipal Council Member H.E.S. be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in prison and a judicial fine of 5,000 days for the crime of "blackmail in participation" against Özcan. Additionally, M.E.A. is requested to be sentenced to 2 to 7 years for "deprivation of personal liberty" against Ö.Ç. and 9 months to 2 years for "threat against a woman."