24.08.2026 16:51
In the case of the Aziz İhsan Aktaş criminal organization, the court has rendered its decision regarding Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, who was suspended from duty after being arrested. Akpolat, who faced up to 234 years in prison, was acquitted of 18 of the 52 charges, including membership in a criminal organization, forgery of official documents, and forgery of private documents. Akpolat was sentenced to 2 years, 8 months, and 15 days for 'rigging a public tender' and 12 years and 6 months for bribery. It was decided that Akpolat's pretrial detention would continue.
The trial, in which 200 defendants, 5 of them arrested, are being tried within the scope of the indictment prepared regarding the allegation that the Criminal Organization for Profit, allegedly led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, organized tender processes by bribing mayors, has begun its final hearing. At the hearing held today at the Marmara Penal Execution Institutions Silivri Campus by the Istanbul 1st Heavy Penal Court, the defendants' final statements were taken. The panel stated that arrested defendants would give their final statements. It stated that for non-arrested defendants, a joint statement would be made.
VERDICT ANNOUNCED IN AZİZ İHSAN AKTAŞ CASE
In the public prosecutor's opinion on the merits, defendant Rıza Akpolat, who was arrested after being removed from his post as Beşiktaş Mayor and whose imprisonment of up to 234 years was sought, said in his final statement: "I have been in custody for about 20 months. I am the longest-detained person among mayors. Our presumption of innocence was violated. We were discredited in public opinion. There is no concrete evidence in the accusations against us. We are here due to the slanders of confessors. I repeat my previous defenses. I request the acquittal of my family, my friends, and myself."
ACQUITTAL DECISION FOR RIZA AKPOLAT
The court panel began announcing its decision. An acquittal was granted for Rıza Akpolat on charges of gang membership, forgery of official documents, forgery of private documents, and rigging of public tenders.
Details are coming...