29.01.2026 19:20
The trial of 41 defendants, including Niyazi Nefi Kara, who was removed from his position as mayor in the bribery case against the Manavgat Municipality in Antalya, continued with 6 of them in custody. Deputy Mayor Mehmet Engin Tüter, who was caught red-handed receiving a bribe of 110,000 Euros in a baklava box, stated in court, "What happened is a setup full of fiction," while Kara said, "I am the real victim in those baklava images."
The second hearing of the case involving 41 defendants, including Niyazi Nefi Kara, who was suspended from his position as mayor as part of an investigation into the Manavgat Municipality, was held at the Manavgat 3rd High Criminal Court.
During the second day of the hearing, 41 defendants, including Niyazi Nefi Kara and former Deputy Mayor Mehmet E.T., as well as the complainants and lawyers, were present in the courtroom.
"I AM THE REAL VICTIM IN THE BAKLAVA FOOTAGE" Defendant Niyazi Nefi Kara, who stated that he did not accept the charges against him, mentioned that he had been reading voice recordings in prison for months, saying, "In those baklava images, the real victim is not M.E.T., it is me. I request my release and acquittal."
Niyazi Nefi Kara Detained defendant S.C.B. also stated that he had no authority regarding the awarding of the cleaning tender, that he had no close relationship with witnesses and defendants, and that he had not received money from anyone, requesting his release. Detained defendant M.K. denied the allegations of fraud against him, arguing that the witness statements claiming he became wealthy during Niyazi Nefi Kara's term did not reflect the truth. Complainant Z.S. noted that the defendants had imposed a fine of more than 150 million lira on him and expressed his complaint about the demands that turned into extortion.
"THE SCENARIO THAT OCCURRED IS A SETUP FULL OF PLOTS" Deputy Mayor Mehmet Engin Tüter, who was caught red-handed receiving a bribe of 110,000 Euros in a baklava box, stated that the witness C.C., who brought the money, explained to him that the money in the baklava box was taken from Z.S., saying, "In the video that was reflected to the public, C.C. uses the expression 'the commission I will give you.' I never made a commission agreement with him, I did not ask for alcohol. The scenario that occurred in this video is a setup full of plots. I want to be tried without detention. I have been living in a 5 square meter room for 7 months without seeing anyone. We do not even have a courtyard. I am experiencing serious health problems. I am taking depression medication, and I have started having crying fits. I have a daughter who just started primary school. I want my release; at worst, I request house arrest," he said.
HE WAS ALSO DISTURBED IN THIS HEARING As in the first hearing, defendant M.E.T. was taken to the hospital by health teams after being disturbed in this hearing as well. While defendant M.O.K. requested his acquittal, detained defendant H.C.G. stated that he would submit his defense in writing and requested his release.
THE NEXT HEARING IS ON MARCH 10 After the defenses of the other defendants and lawyers, the court panel ruled to continue the detention of the detained defendants and postponed the session to March 10 for the completion of deficiencies and the hearing of new witnesses.