10.07.2025 17:30
The Mayor of Mesudiye, Cengiz Koçyiğit, was sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison in a case where he was tried for sexually assaulting a 27-year-old cleaning staff member working at the institution. The court also imposed a travel ban on Koçyiğit.
On May 16, 2024, an investigation was launched by the Mesudiye Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against Cengiz Koçyiğit, the Mayor of Mesudiye, on the charge of sexually assaulting a 27-year-old woman who works as a cleaning staff in the municipality.
"THE MAYOR COMMITTED SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE STORAGE ROOM" The victim woman stated in her testimony that Koçyiğit sexually assaulted her in the storage room of the municipal building, saying, "In order to put an end to the sexual assaults and to create evidence, I secretly recorded the moment of the sexual assault with a phone I borrowed from a friend on March 18, when Koçyiğit came to the storage room. During the sexual assault, I resisted by biting Koçyiğit's hand while saying 'don't do it'."
PROSECUTOR: NOT A CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP On January 6, 2025, an indictment was prepared by the Mesudiye Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The indictment stated, "It has been understood that there was no romantic relationship or consensual relationship, and upon examining the camera footage and analysis report recorded by phone regarding the last act, it has been understood that the complainant had no consent." The prosecutor requested the punishment of Mayor Koçyiğit for "repeated simple sexual assault."
THE MAYOR DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS In the first hearing held on February 26 at the Mesudiye Criminal Court of First Instance, the victim woman stated that she was offered a luxury car if she withdrew her complaint. Mayor Koçyiğit again claimed in court that the woman had consented.
Mesudiye Mayor Cengiz Koçyiğit REQUEST FOR ARREST FROM THE PROSECUTOR The prosecutor requested Koçyiğit's arrest in his opinion. In the opinion, it was stated, "Although the defendant has denied the charges against him, it has been understood that there was no romantic relationship or consensual relationship... Additionally, at this stage of the investigation, it has been attempted to exert pressure on the victim... Considering the nature and essence of the crime charged against the defendant, it is requested and opined that the defendant should be arrested at this stage on behalf of the public."
TRAVEL BAN IMPOSED However, the judge did not accept the prosecutor's request for arrest. A travel ban was imposed on Koçyiğit in the court's decision made during the hearing on July 9.
THE MAYOR WAS SENTENCED TO 4 YEARS AND 2 MONTHS IN PRISON However, the judge rejected the arrest request and only imposed a travel ban on Koçyiğit. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison for sexual assault. The court reduced the sentence, sentencing Koçyiğit to 4 years and 2 months in prison.