27.01.2026 08:41
As part of the investigation into an alleged criminal organization led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, which is accused of organizing tender processes by bribing mayors, 200 defendants, including the mayors of Beşiktaş, Esenyurt, Avcılar, Adana, Adıyaman, Seyhan, and Ceyhan, are appearing before a judge in Silivri, with 40 of them being detained. The trial, in which a prison sentence of up to 450 years is sought for Aktaş, will last for one month.
The trial of the "Aziz İhsan Aktaş Organized Crime Group" begins today. As part of the investigation into the allegations of bribery given to mayors, including Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, for organizing tender processes by the alleged profit-driven crime group led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, 200 defendants are appearing before the judge for the first time today.
THE TRIAL WILL LAST 1 MONTH
The trial will be held in the courtroom of the Marmara Penal Institutions Campus in Silivri and will last for 1 month.
THERE ARE 200 SUSPECTS INCLUDING MAYORS
On the other hand, in the 578-page indictment prepared by the Organized Crimes Investigation Office of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Beşiktaş, Avcılar, and Esenyurt Municipalities, as well as Istanbul Asphalt Factories Industry Trade Inc. and Istanbul Electric Tram and Tunnel Operations General Directorate were included as 'victims of the crime'. Additionally, among the 200 people listed as 'suspects' are Aziz İhsan Aktaş, who is alleged to be the leader of the organization, Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere, Adana Metropolitan Mayor Zeydan Karalar, Ceyhan Mayor Kadir Aydar, Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin, Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, and Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara, while 19 people are listed as 'victims'.
AKTAŞ WAS RELEASED UNDER 'EFFECTIVE REMORSE'
As part of the investigation, defendant Aziz İhsan Aktaş provided additional statements on April 30, 2025, and May 11, 2025. Aktaş was released on June 4, 2025, under the condition of 'not leaving his residence' due to benefiting from the provisions of effective remorse.
UP TO 450 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT REQUESTED FOR AKTAŞ
In the prepared indictment, it was requested that suspect Aziz İhsan Aktaş be sentenced to a total of 187 years to 450 years in prison for 'establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime', 42 counts of 'manipulating a tender', 4 counts of 'manipulating the performance of a contract', 5 counts of 'forgery in official documents', 21 counts of 'forgery in private documents', 'fraud to the detriment of public institutions', 10 counts of 'bribery', 'money laundering of assets derived from crime', and 'issuing false invoices'.
In the indictment, it was requested that suspect Utku Caner Çaykara be sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison for 2 counts of 'manipulating a tender' and 'receiving bribes', while for suspect Ahmet Özer, it was requested a prison sentence of 3 to 9 years for 2 counts of 'manipulating a tender' and 2 counts of 'forgery in private documents'.
For suspects Oya Tekin, Kadir Aydar, Zeydan Karalar, and Abdurrahman Tutdere, a prison sentence of 4 to 12 years for 'receiving bribes' was requested, while for suspect Rıza Akpolat, it was requested a prison sentence of 133 to 337 years for 'being a member of a criminal organization', 26 counts of 'manipulating a tender', 3 counts of 'forgery in official documents', 19 counts of 'forgery in private documents', 'fraud to the detriment of public institutions', 4 counts of 'receiving bribes', 'money laundering of assets derived from crime', and 'unjust enrichment'.