06.07.2026 15:10
The trial of 19 defendants, including Tanju Özcan, who was suspended from his post as the Mayor of Bolu, on charges of "extortion" has begun. BolSev manager Ali Sarıyıldız explained how he received 2.5 million lira. Deputy Mayor Süleyman Can responded to the allegations.
The trial of 19 defendants, including 6 detainees and suspended mayor Tanju Özcan, who are being prosecuted in connection with an "extortion" investigation into the Bolu Municipality, began today.
The hearing, held in a specially prepared hall at the sports facility of Bolu Social Sciences High School by the Bolu 3rd Heavy Penal Court, was attended by detained defendants Tanju Özcan, Deputy Mayor Süleyman Can, Municipal Council member Cihan Tutal, Bolu Municipality Financial Services Director Naim Ayhan, BolSev manager Ali Sarıyıldız, Bolu Köroğlu Tradesmen and Craftsmen Credit Guarantee Cooperative and Bolu Grocers and Market Vendors Chamber President Mustafa Altındal, as well as non-detained defendants, complainants, and lawyers of the parties.
During the hearing, after the summary of the indictment was read and identity verification was completed, the defendants' defenses were heard.
ALLEGATION OF "2.5 MILLION TL DEMANDED"
In his defense, defendant Cihan Tutal stated that he learned about the alleged demand of 2 million 500 thousand lira from a contractor in exchange for permits and municipal procedures by Tanju Özcan and Süleyman Can from the statements of BolSev manager Ali Sarıyıldız and other defendants.
Tutal claimed that contractor N.G. gave 1 million lira to Sarıyıldız to expedite his municipal affairs and demanded its return when investigations began, saying, "I visited Ali Sarıyıldız while he was under house arrest. There, he told me he received a donation of 1 million lira and wanted me to accept this amount as payment for a previous business deal with him. Ali Sarıyıldız tried to launder this money through A.B. (a non-detained defendant). I am innocent and a victim in this investigation. When the statements of other defendants and complainants are examined, it will become clear that I was deceived and used."
Tutal noted that he is filing a complaint against Ali Sarıyıldız, whom he claims is responsible for his imprisonment.
"I TOOK THE MONEY TO SÜLEYMAN CAN"
Ali Sarıyıldız stated that Tanju Özcan called him and said that contractor N.G. would give a donation of 2.5 million lira.
Sarıyıldız said he met N.G., received 1 million lira in cash and a check for 1.5 million lira about a week later, adding, "Our mayor Tanju said there would be a donation of 2.5 million lira. He said it was 1.5 million in checks and 1 million in cash. He told me to take the 1 million cash to Deputy Mayor Süleyman Can. After receiving the 1 million lira, I took the money to Süleyman Can. A week later, I delivered the check for 1.5 million lira at his office. The check was made out to Bolsev AŞ. I recorded it as an advance."
Sarıyıldız stated that he did not meet N.G. afterward, adding, "N.G. later said he wanted to sign a contract for 1.5 million lira. Then Cihan Tutal came to visit me. Since we anticipated these events, I explained the situation regarding the 1 million lira. I said, 'Süleyman Can took it. I don't accept this. Then this will fall on me.' He said he would get involved in this matter."
Non-detained defendant A.B. said he worked as a financial advisor in the same office as Ali Sarıyıldız and provided external financial advisory services to BolSev.
A.B. stated that Cihan Tutal came to his office and requested a loan citing debts and financial difficulties, saying, "I transferred a loan of 1 million from my official account. He said he would repay it within 15 days. I learned about this exchange of checks and cash when I was called to the prosecutor's office during the investigation."
DEPUTY MAYOR RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS
Detained defendant and Bolu Municipality Deputy Mayor Süleyman Can stated that he learned about N.G.'s statements while in prison as part of the investigation.
Denying the accusations against him, Can said, "I was the deputy mayor and a member of the foundation's subsidiary company. I had no authority over the foundation. I did not receive this money amounting to 1 million lira. The money was not given to me."
The hearing continues with the defendants' defenses following a recess.
PROCESS AND INDICTMENT
As part of the "extortion" investigation launched by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the Bolu Municipality on February 28, 19 people were detained.
Tanju Özcan, deputy mayors Süleyman Can and Leyla Beykoz, municipal council members Cihan Tutal and Aydan Özdemir, Bolu Municipality Financial Services Director Naim Ayhan, and BolSev manager Ali Sarıyıldız were arrested; upon objection, Beykoz and Özdemir were released under judicial control.
The file of Mustafa Altındal, president of the Bolu Köroğlu Tradesmen and Craftsmen Credit Guarantee Cooperative and the Bolu Grocers and Market Vendors Chamber, who was arrested as part of the "bribery" operation, was merged with this file.
In the 178-page indictment prepared by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it is requested that Tanju Özcan be sentenced to a total of 90 years and 3 months to 263 years and 6 months in prison for 6 counts of "extortion by coercion" for each victim, 3 counts of "attempted extortion", 34 counts of "qualified fraud", and 1 count of "bribery".
Süleyman Can is sought to be sentenced to a total of 27 years and 6 months to 64 years for 5 counts of "extortion by coercion" and 2 counts of "attempted extortion", while Ali Sarıyıldız is sought to be sentenced to a total of 72 years, 7 months, and 15 days to 218 years and 9 months for 6 counts of "aiding extortion", 3 counts of "attempted aiding extortion", and 34 counts of "qualified fraud".
The indictment also requests varying prison sentences for the other defendants on these charges.