11.06.2026 13:21
In the bribery and organized crime investigation in Bursa, the indictment prepared against 63 defendants, including Mustafa Bozbey, alleged that contractors were asked for apartments and foreign currency in pastry boxes in exchange for permits.
Striking details have emerged in the indictment prepared as part of the bribery and organized crime investigation conducted in Bursa. The statements of contractors included allegations of demands for apartments, cash, and various benefits in exchange for permit and zoning regulation procedures. In the indictment prepared against 63 defendants, it was claimed that some payments were made in the form of "foreign currency inside a cake box," and findings regarding thousands of properties allegedly obtained through illegal zoning increases were also included in the file.
Within the scope of the bribery and organized crime investigation conducted in Bursa, the indictment prepared against 63 defendants, including Mustafa Bozbey, who was temporarily suspended from his duty as the Mayor of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality by the Ministry of Interior, included allegations that apartments and money were demanded from contractors in exchange for permit and zoning regulation procedures, and that some payments were delivered as "foreign currency inside a cake box."
In the contractor statements included in the indictment prepared by the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was alleged that apartments and money were requested for some projects, tender offers were communicated in advance, and various benefits were demanded.
In his statement included in the indictment, defendant contractor Emin A. recounted that in 2015 or 2016, he went to the Tiba Architecture firm, owned by Mustafa Bozbey's daughter-in-law İldam Aydın Bozbey and former Nilüfer Mayor Turgay Erdem, for an architectural project drawing.
Stating that a meeting was held there regarding the permit for the Nilüfer Site within the scope of urban transformation, Emin A. stated that he discussed the permit issues with Turgay Erdem, who had "single signature" authority at that time.
Emin A. stated that the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Council unanimously decided on a 0.50 zoning increase for the construction area in question and said:
"The apartments in my project were 4-5 square meters larger than they should have been, and for this reason, I could not obtain a permit for the specified project. The Tiba Architecture firm actually prepared that project, and there is İldam Bozbey's signature on its permit. I mentioned this issue to Turgay Erdem. In the presence of Bahri A., Erdem told me that he had met with Mustafa Bozbey over dinner, and that Bozbey asked for 2 apartments from this project in order to sign the permit, otherwise, he instructed him not to sign."
Emin A. stated that he later reached an agreement with Erdem in exchange for an apartment and alleged that after the permit procedures, he transferred the deed of the promised apartment to another person at Erdem's direction.
"I HAD 2 MILLION LIRA CONVERTED INTO 500 EURO BANKNOTES AT A CURRENCY EXCHANGE OFFICE AND PUT THEM IN A CAKE BOX"
Emin A., in his statement included in the indictment, claimed that he met with Mustafa Bozbey in 2019 regarding the tender for a cafe in Nilüfer and that Bozbey directed him to Naci K., the chairman of the board of the Nilbel company.
Alleging that Naci K. requested a cash donation of 2 million lira from him, Emin A. claimed that during the tender process, bid information was shared with him in advance, and after winning the tender, he converted the 2 million lira into 500 euro banknotes and delivered them inside a cake box.
Emin A. stated that they later signed the contract, received verbal approval for the project, and began construction, alleging that during the process, demands were made for a diamond ring, construction of a village house, and coverage of overseas travel and vacation expenses.
"5 APARTMENTS AND 20 MILLION LIRA ARE NEEDED"
Complainant contractor Deniz B., in his statement in the indictment, recounted that they tried to contact the municipality for a construction project they were partners in.
Deniz B. stated that through a friend, they met with Hüseyin G., who was said to be close to Mustafa Bozbey, and alleged that during the meeting, the phrase "5 apartments and 20 million lira are needed" was used for the project.
Deniz B. claimed that as a result of negotiations, an agreement was reached in exchange for 14 million lira and 3 apartments.
"THE BIG MAN HAS GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS, GO TO THE LAWYER"
Deniz B. alleged that in the early months of 2019, Hüseyin G. told his partner, "The big man has given instructions, go to the lawyer, they have something to tell you."
According to his claim, during a subsequent meeting held at a law office, it was demanded that 3 properties be made in the name of Hüseyin G. within the scope of the project, a promise to sell contract be arranged between the parties, and 14 million lira be delivered in cash.
The indictment also included findings regarding properties allegedly obtained through illegal zoning increases.
In inspections carried out by the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, it was stated that some buildings had floors exceeding legal limits, and in this context, numerous residences were considered proceeds of crime.
It was noted in the file that it was determined that the defendant construction company owners had acquired a total of 2,245 properties as proceeds of crime.
OPERATION PROCESS
Within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an operation was carried out on March 31 based on allegations that former mayors Mustafa Bozbey and Turgay Erdem, along with some municipal employees, provided illegal zoning increases in exchange for bribes in construction projects and thereby obtained financial benefits.
During the operation, numerous suspects, including Mustafa Bozbey, his family members, municipal employees, and businesspeople, were detained.
While 23 of the suspects referred to the courthouse were arrested, it was learned that the number of detainees increased to 37 in the later stages of the investigation. It was stated that efforts to capture some suspects abroad are ongoing.