25.08.2026 00:50
Detained Besiktas Mayor Riza Akpolat broke his silence after being sentenced to 23 years in prison. In his statement following the decision, Akpolat rejected the accusations and reacted to the judicial process, saying, 'As I have said from the very first day, my conscience is clear and I hold my head high.'
Detained Mayor of Beşiktaş, Rıza Akpolat, made a statement following the total prison sentence of 23 years handed down against him. Akpolat, who reacted to the decision, rejected the accusations directed at him and maintained that he has not committed any crime that would make his family, colleagues, and the people of Beşiktaş hang their heads in shame.
"THEY ACCUSED [HIM] OF BEING AN ORGANIZATION, IT COLLAPSED"
In his statement on his social media account, Akpolat made assessments regarding the trial process. Drawing attention to the "organization" accusation against him, Akpolat claimed that this accusation later collapsed.
Akpolat said, "As I have said from the very first day; there is not a single crime of mine that would make my children, my family, my companions, and my neighbors in Beşiktaş, whom I served for 6 years, hang their heads."
"IT DROPPED FROM 415 YEARS TO 23 YEARS"
Stating that the penalty demand against him changed during the trial process, Akpolat said that during the preparation of the indictment, a prison sentence of up to 415 years was sought for him, this figure was reduced to up to 234 years during the court stage, and finally, a prison sentence of 23 years was decided.
Akpolat argued that the decision was made based on the statements of certain individuals, claiming that these individuals were either slanderers acting in their own interests or were forced to give statements under pressure.
"THE SENTENCE WAS GIVEN BECAUSE OF OUR POLITICAL IDENTITIES"
In his statement, Beşiktaş Mayor Akpolat also argued that the decision was made with political motives.
Akpolat said, "The punishment that is not deemed fit even for those who commit murder, femicide, or who lay hands on our children in my beautiful country, was deemed fit for us solely because of our political identities and views."
"I HAVE BEEN DETAINED FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS"
Stating that he has been detained for nearly two years, Akpolat said he has acted with the awareness of his responsibility towards his family and the people of Beşiktaş during this process.
Akpolat said, "My forehead is clear, my head is held high," stating that he would continue with determination.
"THOSE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT, NOT THOSE WHO HAVE THE POWER, WILL WIN"
At the end of his statement, Akpolat gave a message of struggle. Arguing that they will change the "slander and get acquitted" order together with his companions, Akpolat stated that they will continue to walk on the path of the people and the law, no matter the cost.
Akpolat concluded his statement with the words, "Sooner or later, those who have the right, not those who have the power, will win."