Turkey sentences 5 opposition mayors in cases critics slam as politically motivated
The court imposed sentences of up to 23 years and three months after a seven-month trial over bribery, bid-rigging and fraud.
- On Monday, a Turkish court convicted five mayors from the opposition CHP party on corruption charges, with Besiktas Mayor Riza Akpolat receiving the heftiest sentence of 23 years and three months for bribery and money laundering.
- The seven-month trial involved 200 defendants and relied heavily on testimony from businessman Aziz Ihsan Aktas, who testified against co-defendants under Turkey's "effective repentance" law in exchange for lighter punishment.
- Critics of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan argue the trial targeted the CHP, citing prosecution reliance on secret witnesses; the Turkish government maintains its judiciary operates independently and free from political influence.
- Authorities have expanded investigations into other CHP-run districts including Adana and Adiyaman, following the imprisonment of Istanbul's metropolitan mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition's favored challenger to Erdogan.
- Opposition leaders claim municipalities controlled by Erdogan's party that conducted business with Aktas avoided thorough investigation, while many CHP members have followed former leader Ozgur Ozel to the New Party.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat reacted to the verdict in the Aziz İhsan Aktaş case, where he was sentenced to a total of 23 years in prison. Akpolat stated, “I have committed no crime that would bring shame to my children, my family, my colleagues, and my neighbors in Beşiktaş, whom I served for six years. My conscience is clear, and I hold my head high.”
In Turkey, several mayors of the opposition have been sentenced to long prison terms in connection with corruption charges.
The trial was followed closely in Turkey, also against the backdrop of a wave of arrests against opposition mayors and the arrest of former Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Associated Press News
Turkey sentences 5 opposition mayors in cases critics slam as politically motivated
A Turkish court has convicted five opposition mayors on corruption charges in a trial that critics have denounced as politically motivated.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
