05.05.2026 15:01
Former Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, who is on trial for "blackmail," denied the allegations in his defense in court, while stating that he owes an apology to his wife due to the messages included in the file.
New developments have occurred in the case where Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, who was arrested on charges of "embezzlement" and suspended from duty within the scope of the operation launched on February 28, is being tried on allegations of "blackmail." Details of Özcan's comprehensive defense, which he delivered via SEGBIS from prison during the hearing, have emerged.
In the trial held at Bolu 6th Criminal Court of First Instance, the proceedings continued against Özcan and other defendants. The hearing, where witnesses were heard, was adjourned to a later date to allow the prosecutor to prepare his final opinion.
HE SAID, "THIS IS HAPPENING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE WORLD"
Beginning his defense by reiterating his previous statements, Özcan said, "I am being tried in this case both as a complainant and as a defendant. I am experiencing a legal process that I believe is happening for the first time in the world."
"I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT ACCEPT THE BLACKMAIL ACCUSATION"
According to information shared by Bolu Newspaper; Özcan, rejecting the accusations against him, said, "I absolutely do not accept the blackmail accusation directed at me. I did not commit such a crime." Arguing that the indictment is based on a single sentence, Özcan claimed that the alleged statement "You have to be with me" does not reflect the truth.
ALLEGATION: "MESSAGES WERE DISTORTED"
Stating that the message records in the case file were taken out of context, Özcan expressed that these contents do not constitute the crime of blackmail, saying, "There is no evidence related to the crime of blackmail in these message records."
"THE AIM IS DISCREDIT"
Arguing that the process is political rather than legal, Özcan stated, "The aim here is not to punish me, but to discredit me through the message contents."
"I OWE AN APOLOGY TO MY WIFE"
Referring to his private life in his defense, Özcan mentioned that he owes an apology to his wife due to the correspondences. However, he said this cannot be considered within the scope of a crime.
HE ADMITTED MEETING WITH THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE
Özcan stated that he called the Minister of Justice, Akın Gürlek, at the beginning of the process, noting that he later considered this step a mistake. Alleging that case file information was leaked to the press, Özcan argued that he was tried in the public eye without his defense being taken.
HEARING ADJOURNED
The court adjourned the hearing to June 5, 2026, to prepare the opinion on the merits of the case.
FROM THE INDICTMENT
The indictment stated that messages sent by Özcan to municipal staff member Öznur Ç. fell into the hands of the woman's ex-boyfriend Mehmet Eren Akgüney; Akgüney demanded 20 million lira, a luxury car, and a car wash facility from Özcan in exchange for these messages. Boluspor Club President Erdal Bayrak and CHP Municipal Council Member Hüseyin Ekrem Serin were also included in the case file for allegedly mediating the blackmail. In the same case, due to his actions towards Öznur Ç. and his words in his office, Tanju Özcan is also facing up to 3 years in prison for the crime of "blackmail."
"HE SUMMONED ME TO HIS OFFICE"
Öznur Ç., the victim in the case, stated in her previous testimony: "After the audio recording that came to the municipality, Tanju Özcan summoned me to his office. Although I did not accept this, I had to communicate due to fear of being fired."
"WE WERE TOGETHER, THE DRIVER ALSO WATCHED"
Stating that she had a sexual relationship with Özcan, Öznur Ç. said, "Tanju Özcan's driver took me to Narven Thermal Kasaba. While drinking alcohol there, we were together with Tanju Özcan. During our time together, his driver was also present and watched us."