29.04.2025 08:01
The former district governor of Yüreğir in Adana, Mustafa Kılıç, who is being tried in detention on charges of defrauding numerous companies by falsely presenting non-existent tenders for earthquake victims and collecting approximately 50 million lira under the guise of "collateral" into his personal account, has been sentenced to 70 years in prison and a judicial fine of 601,000 lira for the crime of 'qualified fraud.'
The former Yüreğir District Governor Mustafa Kılıç, who is accused of defrauding numerous companies by showing non-existent tenders for earthquake victims and depositing money into his personal account under the name of 'guarantee' amounting to approximately 50 million lira, along with Özgür Akgül, who allegedly introduced himself as a consultant to the Vice President, and Paşa Yaşar, are being tried in a case whose verdict hearing was held. The hearing at the Adana 11th High Criminal Court was attended by the detained Kılıç via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS) from prison. In the hearing, the other detained defendant Özgür Akgül, witnesses, complainants, and the lawyers of the parties were present. The non-detained defendant Paşa Yaşar did not attend the hearing.
The public prosecutor, reiterating his opinion on the merits of the case, requested that the defendant Mustafa Kılıç be sentenced to 160 years for 'fraud by using public institutions and organizations and similar legal entities as a means' on 16 counts, the detained defendant Özgür Akgül to 90 years on 9 counts, and the non-detained defendant Paşa Yaşar to up to 10 years in prison for a single act of fraud.
"THERE IS NO TENDER INVOLVED"
In his defense, defendant Kılıç claimed that he did not defraud anyone and that he has not been involved in any illegal activities during his 23-year professional career, stating, "During my term, direct procurement was made. There is no tender involved. The matter is being diverted in other directions by referring to it as a tender. I have no suspicion of fleeing. On the day the detention order was issued, I went to the Mersin Provincial Police Department. I did not defraud anyone. My account transactions should be examined by an expert. I will pay the money to the creditors. I did not even attempt fraud. I have been detained for a long time and I have a mentally disabled daughter who needs care. I request my release and acquittal," he said.
"I DID NOT TAKE A SINGLE LIRA FROM ANYONE"
Defendant Özgür Akgül also denied the accusations, stating, "I did not tell anyone that I work at the Presidency. I did not enter or exit through the office door of Mustafa Kılıç. I always waited in the private secretary section like a normal citizen. Some representatives of companies requested to meet the district governor through me. I never interfered in the financial relations of the companies. I am a person who has been used and brought forward by District Governor Mustafa Kılıç. I did not take a single lira from anyone. I request my release and acquittal," he said.
ALSO ACCUSED OF FORGERY IN DOCUMENTS
The court panel sentenced Mustafa Kılıç to 70 years in prison and a judicial fine of 601 thousand lira for 'fraud by using public institutions and organizations and similar legal entities as a means.' Defendant Özgür Akgül was sentenced to 50 years and 10 months in prison and a judicial fine of 408 thousand lira. The panel acquitted defendant Paşa Yaşar on the grounds that 'the crime charged was not proven to have been committed by the defendant.' It was decided to continue the current status of the defendants. Additionally, it was ruled that a criminal complaint be filed against Mustafa Kılıç for the crime of 'forgery in documents' with the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.