21.08.2026 13:50
In the 68th hearing of the IMM case, the non-detained defendant Aziz İhsan Aktaş, who was making his defense, claimed that a structure called a "system" was established at IMM and that this structure acted under the leadership of Ekrem İmamoğlu. Starting his defense by stating that he arrived at the courtroom accompanied by the bodyguards allocated to him by the state, Aktaş presented to the court panel a comprehensive evidence file consisting of HTS records, bank receipts, digital materials, and expert opinions.
The 68th hearing of the case with 414 defendants, 53 of whom are detained, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) President Ekrem Imamoglu, who was removed from office on the allegation of the "Imamoglu criminal organization for profit" by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, was held by the Istanbul 33rd Heavy Penal Court in the courtroom opposite the Marmara Closed Penal Execution Institution.
HE EXPLAINED WHY THE BODYGUARDS WERE ASSIGNED
Aziz Ihsan Aktas, who began his defense by responding to speculation about him, made the following statements regarding the intensity of security in the courtroom:
"First of all, I want to correct this misconception. As some have stated, the people next to me are not an army of bodyguards. They are official bodyguards assigned by our state due to the assassination attempt previously planned against me. This is not a privilege for me, but a necessary measure taken to ensure my safety."
Also touching upon his education life and stating that he was born in Diyarbakir in 1976, Aktas noted that he graduated with a real diploma. When lawyers persistently asked questions about his diploma during the cross-examination, Aktas stated that the allegations were irrelevant and did not answer the questions.
"RIGHTS TO PAYMENT WERE TURNED INTO A TOOL OF PRESSURE"
Aktas, who argued that efforts were made to devalue statements of effective remorse, claimed that the rights to payment of businesspeople within IBB were deliberately delayed and a payment pressure was created. Regarding the concept of the "system" in the indictment, Aktas said the following:
"The main issue in this file is that legal payment receivables have been turned into a systematic tool of pressure on businesspeople. A money collection scheme, which those involved called the 'system', was established among themselves. This structure I encountered was shaped under the leadership of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The most important of the system's main aims is the financing of Ekrem Imamoglu's political life and activities."
Aktas stated that not only he, but also ISFALT General Manager Burak Korzay, IBB Affiliates Advisor Ertan Yildiz, and some other businesspeople mentioned this mechanism in their statements.
HE PRESENTED THE DOCUMENTS TO THE COURT
Aziz Ihsan Aktas detailed 3 basic actions with the HTS base station records and bank transaction records he displayed on the screens in the courtroom:
1. Action: Demand for 5 million TL for election financing
Aktas, who claimed that before the 2024 local election process, former CHP Deputy Chairman and Member of Parliament Ozgur Karabat called him to a hotel in Esenyurt, alleged that Karabat said, "Imamoglu has given strict instructions, if you do not give 5 million TL, your payment rights will be stopped." Aktas argued that this money, withdrawn in cash from the bank, was delivered to Karabat's driver/advisor Sirri Kucuk at a fuel station in Ikitelli, and that the relevant cash withdrawal receipts and HTS signals matched.
2. Action: Delivery of a bag with 970 thousand dollars at a hotel in Kilyos
Aktas, who claimed that he was asked for 970 thousand dollars (approximately 30 million TL at the exchange rate of the period) in return for the payment of rights to payment in the works carried out with ISFALT and IBB affiliates, said he was threatened that if the payment was not made, their companies' cash flow would be disrupted and bank loans would fail. Aktas alleged that he left the requested money in a bag at a hotel in Kilyos, and the bag was later picked up by municipal officials.
3. Action: Commission meeting of 10-12 percent at the Florya residence
Referring to the meetings he claimed were held at the Presidential Residence in Florya, Aktas argued that a "share" ranging from 10 to 12 percent was demanded from contractor companies doing business in IETT and other units for each payment of rights to payment. He stated that through his own company group, they were forced to make payments totaling 84 million 857 thousand TL between 2020 and 2024.
"WE ARE VICTIMS OF EXTORTION, NOT BRIBERY"
Aktas, who objected to the bribery charge leveled against him in the prosecutor's opinion, stated that the payments made did not aim to gain any benefit but were "extortion fees" given under duress to protect their commercial assets.
Reminding that in other judicial processes regarding the allegations of bid rigging against them, an opinion was given for acquittal, Aktas concluded his defense by saying, "All the evidence, HTS records, and documents I have submitted within the scope of effective remorse are evident. I request my acquittal from the bribery charge against me and a decision that there is no need to impose a penalty on me."
After the marathon hearing that lasted approximately 15 hours, the court panel, after taking the statements of the party lawyers, adjourned the hearing to the next session.