03.06.2026 13:50
The indictment prepared for 19 defendants, including Tanju Özcan, who was suspended from duty in the "extortion" investigation against the Bolu Municipality, has been accepted. In the trial set to begin on July 6, Özcan faces up to a total of 263 years and 6 months in prison for charges of extortion, qualified fraud, and bribery. Additionally, six defendants remain in custody as part of the investigation.
The indictment prepared against 19 defendants, including Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, who was suspended from duty as part of the "extortion" investigation into the Bolu Municipality, has been accepted. A prison sentence of up to 263 years has been requested for Özcan.
TRIAL TO BEGIN ON JULY 6
The Bolu 3rd Heavy Penal Court accepted the 178-page indictment prepared by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. In the case, where the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the General Directorate of Foundations, and the Ministry of Interior are listed as complainants, 41 victims and 19 defendants, 6 of whom are in detention, will be tried. The first hearing of the case will be held on July 6.
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED IN FEBRUARY
Within the scope of the "extortion" investigation launched by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on February 28, 19 people were detained. As part of the investigation, along with Tanju Özcan, deputy mayors Süleyman Can and Leyla Beykoz, city council members Cihan Tutal and Aydan Özdemir, Bolu Municipality Financial Services Director Naim Ayhan, and BolSev Board Chairman Ali Sarıyıldız were arrested. Later, Leyla Beykoz and Aydan Özdemir were released under judicial control.
UP TO 263 YEARS IN PRISON REQUESTED FOR TANJU ÖZCAN
In the indictment, for Tanju Özcan, a total prison sentence ranging from 90 years and 3 months to 263 years and 6 months has been requested for the charges of 6 counts of "extortion through coercion," 3 counts of "attempted extortion," 34 counts of "qualified fraud," and 1 count of "bribery."
HEAVY SENTENCES ALSO SOUGHT FOR OTHER DEFENDANTS
In the indictment, prison sentences ranging from 27 years and 6 months to 64 years were requested for Süleyman Can, and from 72 years, 7 months, and 15 days to 218 years and 9 months for Ali Sarıyıldız. Varying prison terms were also sought for the other defendants under various charges.