06.05.2026 21:32
The second hearing of the bribery and corruption case at the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality was marked by the 'gold in a bag' allegation. In the trial involving 41 defendants, including suspended Muhittin Böcek, witness Tunahan Yazıcı stated that in November 2024, he received 24 kg of gold valued at 70 million Turkish lira in a bag. Yazıcı claimed that the proceeds from the sale of this gold were deposited into the account of Muhittin Böcek's former daughter-in-law, Zeynep Kerimoğlu.
The trial of the bribery and corruption case prepared by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and accepted by the Antalya 6th Heavy Penal Court continued. Within the scope of the case file, a total of 41 defendants, including 3 detainees, among them Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek, who was removed from duty, his son Mustafa Gökhan Böcek, and Fazlı Ateş, are being tried. In the second hearing of the case, which also includes names detained in other investigations among the defendants, witnesses and aggrieved parties appeared before the court panel.
26 SEPARATE ALLEGATIONS IN THE 702-PAGE INDICTMENT
In the comprehensive indictment prepared by the prosecutor's office, the financial movements and transactions within the municipality were grouped under 26 separate headings. Prominent headings in the indictment include; billing advertising expenses during the local election period to businessmen, transferring real estate and vehicles to third parties, high-amount money and foreign currency transfers, and obtaining benefits in exchange for occupancy permits and license procedures. The investigations were conducted using MASAK data, HTS analyses, and financial reports.
ALLEGATION OF "GOLD IN A BAG" PAYMENT TO ZEYNEP KERİMOĞLU
One of the most striking statements in the hearing came from witness Tunahan Yazıcı. Yazıcı said the following regarding the payments made after Gökhan Böcek and Zeynep Kerimoğlu's divorce process:
"In November 2024, Erkan A. called me and said he needed approximately 70 million TL worth of gold. We bought a total of 23-24 kilograms of gold. The gold came from Finike Döviz; I went and picked up the gold in a bag. We deposited the money from this transaction into Zeynep Kerimoğlu's account."
Witness Çağlar Topçu also confirmed regarding the same issue that the documents were sent to Kerimoğlu in Istanbul for signing.
"I PAID 250 THOUSAND TL TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS"
Muvakkaf Erdoğan, testifying as an aggrieved party, described the process during the occupancy permit procedures. Erdoğan stated that Tuncay K. requested a donation by indicating the municipality had needs, saying, "We were constructing a building; the process was delayed due to intensity. To expedite the process, I paid Tuncay Bey 250 thousand TL in cash in his office. I was not threatened, and I am not filing a complaint against anyone."
MILLION-DOLLAR "SPONSORSHIP" AND RIGHT-OF-PAYMENT DISPUTES
Witness Savaş Vural claimed that upon the instruction of company owner Yusuf Yadoğlu, 20 million TL was delivered on April 3, 2025, and different amounts were delivered on later dates. Anadolu Reklam official Fethi Özel stated that they performed works like vehicle wrapping during the election period, and payments were made under the name "sponsorship" via invoices from other companies.
MUHİTTİN BÖCEK: WE PAID ALL DEBTS IN 5 YEARS
While the Head of the Financial Services Department Selahattin Altun was describing the payment processes, the removed Mayor Muhittin Böcek interjected, emphasizing the municipality's financial discipline. Böcek asked, "We took over the municipality with a debt of 6 billion 108 million TL, as the most indebted municipality. Did we pay off all overdue debts in 5 years?" Witness Altun answered this question by saying, "Yes, there are no overdue debts."
THE TRIAL CONTINUES
In the hearing, many allegations, ranging from occupancy permits to luxury watch purchases, vehicle transfers to currency transfers, continue to be discussed through witness testimonies. The court panel adjourned the hearing to a later date to complete missing files and hear other witnesses.