15.04.2026 03:00
A former neighborhood headman in Bolu, who lost the local elections in 2024, has been charged with 'Embezzlement' on the grounds that he did not hand over the laptop allocated to the headmanship by the municipality to the new headman. The former headman, who claims the computer broke while cleaning and he threw it away, will be tried in the High Criminal Court. The new Headman Mustafa Arda Kıyasoğlu said, 'My aim is not to target any individual, but solely to protect public property.'
Mustafa Arda Kıyasoğlu, who was elected as the mukhtar (neighborhood head) of Borazanlar Neighborhood in the central district of Bolu in the March 31, 2024 Local Administrations Elections, took over the duty from Şevki G., who served as mukhtar between 2009 and 2024.
HE FILED A COMPLAINT WHEN IT WAS NOT HANDED OVER After starting his duty, the new mukhtar Kıyasoğlu noticed that the laptop allocated by Bolu Municipality for use in mukhtar affairs was not in the office. When Kıyasoğlu asked the former mukhtar Şevki G. about the situation, he allegedly received responses such as "It's none of your business, this is between the state and me" and "The computer is lost," upon which he filed a criminal complaint with the Bolu Republic Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
"I THREW IT IN THE TRASH BECAUSE IT COULDN'T BE REPAIRED" Former mukhtar Şevki G., whose statement was taken as part of the investigation launched upon the complaint, denied the allegations against him. In his statement, Şevki G. stated that the computer in question fell from the desk and broke while cleaning was being done in the mukhtar's office, saying, "I took it to repair shops, but I was told it had become unusable. Therefore, because the computer was in an unusable state, I had to throw it in the trash." Şevki G., who said he used a desktop computer he bought with his own means and gave it to someone in need after losing the election, claimed that he went to the municipality to cover the public loss, but officials told him they could not receive payment.
TO BE TRIED IN THE HIGH CRIMINAL COURT The investigation conducted by the Bolu Republic Chief Public Prosecutor's Office was completed and an indictment was prepared. The indictment emphasized that Bolu Municipality allocated the computer not for personal use but within the scope of mukhtar duties and that it should have been handed over to the new mukhtar at the end of the duty term. The prosecutor's office noted that no official record was kept regarding the computer being broken and thrown in the trash. In accordance with the indictment accepted by the Bolu High Criminal Court, former mukhtar Şevki G. will appear before a judge on charges of 'Embezzlement' under Article 247/1 of the Turkish Penal Code, facing a prison sentence and a request for deprivation of certain rights.
Mustafa Arda Kıyasoğlu "THE ISSUE IS NOT INDIVIDUALS BUT PUBLIC PROPERTY" Borazanlar Neighborhood Mukhtar Mustafa Arda Kıyasoğlu, making statements on the matter, said, "When I took office, I determined there were deficiencies regarding some fixtures. And I reported this situation to the relevant authorities through official channels. During the process, some people suggested that the issue should not be escalated. However, I did not step back despite any guidance. Because the issue here is not individuals; the issue is public property. My aim is not to target any individual but entirely to protect public property. The process has now been referred to the judiciary. Turkish justice will make the necessary evaluation. I also want to state here that I trust justice. What is important for us is transparency, correctness, and the protection of our state's rights."
COMPUTER AND PRINTER SUPPORT FROM MINISTER KURUM Mukhtar Kıyasoğlu stated that they applied to many institutions to solve the missing computer problem and said that Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum supported them. Kıyasoğlu said, "Our Minister of Environment and Urbanization, Mr. Murat Kurum, hearing our voice, sent us one computer and a latest model printer one morning through his Private Secretary. He called us via video call, ensured a meeting with us, and told us that he is always behind us. Also, from here, I present my thanks to our Minister of Environment and Urbanization, who did not leave us halfway."