20.10.2026 17:50
In the case of Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe, who has been detained and on trial for approximately 16.5 months, the prosecution has submitted its final opinion on the merits. The prosecutor requested that Bahçetepe be sentenced to imprisonment for between 4 and 12 years for the crime of "accepting bribes," while requesting his acquittal on charges of "unjust enrichment" and "money laundering of assets derived from crime." The court will announce its final verdict on October 27.
A new stage has been reached in the trial of Hakan Bahçetepe, the CHP Mayor of Gaziosmanpaşa, who has been in detention since June 2025 as part of the Aziz İhsan Aktaş investigation. The prosecutor’s office stated that there was insufficient evidence for 2 of the 3 charges in the indictment.
PROSECUTOR REQUESTS “RELEASE WITH THE VERDICT”
In the case heard at the Istanbul 10th Heavy Penal Court, the prosecutor’s office submitted its opinion concerning two separate bribery allegations dated May 4 and September 7, 2024. In the opinion, it was requested that Bahçetepe be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 4 to 12 years for the crime of “accepting a bribe.” For the charges of “unjust enrichment” and “laundering assets derived from crime,” his acquittal was requested on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence. Taking into account the time Bahçetepe has spent in detention, the prosecutor’s office requested his release with the verdict.
In the opinion, the acquittal of Bahçetepe’s wife, Gözde Bahçetepe, and his father-in-law, Aziz Lal, was also requested on the charge of “laundering.”
REQUEST FOR NO PUNISHMENT FOR AKTAŞ
The prosecutor’s office requested that Aziz İhsan Aktaş be punished for two separate crimes of “giving a bribe.” However, on the grounds that Aktaş reported his actions before the investigation began, it requested that the provisions on effective remorse be applied to him and that no penalty be imposed.
It was requested that Gürkan Dölekli and Özer Ayık be punished for “giving a bribe,” Erdal Celal Aksoy for “accepting a bribe,” and Baki Aydöner and Seza Büyükçulha for “brokering a bribe.”
“$300,000” CLAIM
According to the allegations in the file, Aziz İhsan Aktaş claimed that $300,000 was given to Bahçetepe through Özer Ayık in exchange for obtaining an excavation permit from Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality.
Bahçetepe, however, rejected the accusations and said that he did not know Aktaş. Arguing that the excavation permit in question was granted unanimously by the municipal council and relevant commissions, Bahçetepe stated that the bribery allegations were unfounded.
THE INDICTMENT HAD SOUGHT UP TO 24 YEARS IN PRISON
In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in May 2026, a prison sentence of up to 24 years was sought for Bahçetepe on charges of “bribery,” “unjust enrichment,” and “laundering assets derived from crime.”
HE HAD BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN THE OPERATION
Bahçetepe was among 47 people taken into custody in the operation conducted on May 31, 2025, as part of the Aziz İhsan Aktaş investigation. Based on the statements of Aktaş, who was described as a “criminal organization leader” and who testified in order to benefit from the provisions on effective remorse, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued detention orders for 27 suspects on charges of “accepting a bribe,” “giving a bribe,” “corruption,” and “rigging a tender.”
Bahçetepe was arrested on June 4, 2025, together with Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara, Ceyhan Mayor Kadir Aydar, and Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin.
A JUDGMENT HAD BEEN ISSUED IN THE MAIN CASE
The main case with 200 defendants concerning the Aziz İhsan Aktaş investigation had been concluded on August 24, 2026. In the main case, Aktaş received no penalty for the bribery charges under the scope of effective remorse, was acquitted of the crime of “establishing an organization,” and was sentenced to 2 years, 8 months, and 15 days in prison for the crime of “rigging a tender.”
The court will announce its decision in the Bahçetepe case at the hearing on October 27.