11.02.2026 13:30
In the case of the "Aziz İhsan Aktaş Criminal Organization," the defendants' statements have now entered the final phase. In the 10th session of the "Organized Crime for Profit" trial, the statements of Aktaş's cousin, Ayşegül Ünal, came to the forefront. In response to the presiding judge's question about the $300,000 "debt," Ünal replied, "I delivered it to the person he sent. We have no debts between us. I don't remember how he repaid me."
The 10th hearing of the case involving a total of 200 defendants, including 7 mayors who have been suspended from duty, began under tight security measures as part of the investigation into the criminal organization led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş.
Adana Metropolitan Mayor Zeydan Karalar, who was released last week, also attended the hearing along with the defendants who are not in custody. It was noted that Aktaş was also present in the courtroom.
"I DID NOT SHARE COST INFORMATION"
The first defense was made by Çağrı Mazı, the Director of Engineering and Planning at ISFALT. Mazı stated, "I did not share any approximate cost information with Mustafa Mutlu. The allegations against me are data that Mutlu can already access due to his contract. I request my acquittal. I have neither seen nor know Aziz İhsan Aktaş before; I only know him from the media," he said.
"I DO NOT KNOW MUTLU OR AKTAŞ"
The hearing continued with the defense of Murat Delice, an expert from the Administrative Affairs Department of ISFALT. Delice stated that he does not know Mustafa Mutlu and Aziz İhsan Aktaş and denied the charges against him. He requested the removal of the judicial control measure against him and his acquittal.
Then, the case moved to the section titled "Organized Crime for Profit," which consists of 10 headings, where there were no detained defendants.
"I AM A SALARIED EMPLOYEE, NOT A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION"
The first defense in this section was made by Akın Kumanlı, who stated, "I am not a member of the alleged structure; I am a salaried employee. I reject the accusation of 'membership in an organization.' I heard that money was requested from Mr. İhsan, but I do not know whether the money given was a bribe or under another name. I did not facilitate bribery. I am innocent; I am not a member of the organization. I request my acquittal. I am responsible for the vehicle; I have no way of knowing for what purpose this money was given," he expressed.
Later, Ayşegül Ünal, the founder of İntursa Maritime and Transportation Industry and also the cousin of Aziz İhsan Aktaş, took the stand.
Ünal, who stated that she has a commercial relationship in addition to her familial ties with Aktaş, said, "I have contributed to every stage of my company's establishment and management. I absolutely do not accept the claim that I do not have control over the management. I am the only person who has a say in my company. I have no knowledge of the bribery allegations. Aktaş never told me that he was asked for a bribe. He occasionally asked me for a loan; I did not ask what it was for, nor did I request an explanation. It is unlawful to consider me a member of a criminal organization solely because we are relatives," she stated.
Rejecting all the allegations against her, Ünal said, "The measures on my company and personal accounts should be lifted. I cannot even pay my Bağ-Kur premiums," she stated.
After her defense, her lawyer asked how the alleged $300,000 debt given to Aktaş was delivered. Ünal replied, "I delivered it to the person he sent. There is no debt between us. I do not remember how he repaid his debt to me."
In response to the lawyer's question, "Did Aktaş say how he would use this $300,000?" Ünal replied, "I cannot know that. I did not ask him, nor can I ask," she responded.