The first hearing was held in the 'corruption' case against Büyükçekmece Municipality, where suspended Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün and 30 defendants are on trial. In his defense, Akgün said, "I reject the allegations of a criminal organization. There is no evidence in the file. No concrete evidence has been presented in the indictment to support this irrational claim. When you read the denunciation letters, you will see the expressions 'I heard', 'I am of the opinion', 'I believe'. So, is it possible for these to be legally accepted as evidence?" he said. The hearing has been postponed until tomorrow.
The trial of Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün, who was suspended from his duty after his arrest within the scope of the 'corruption' investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against Büyükçekmece Municipality, and 30 defendants has begun. In the indictment, a prison sentence of 68 to 183 years was requested for Hasan Akgün for the crimes of 'establishing and managing a criminal organization for profit', 'bribery', 'extortion by force' and 'laundering of assets resulting from crime'. Detained and undetained defendants and lawyers attended the hearing held today at the Istanbul 27th High Criminal Court.
'THE ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY MADE ON MY BEHALF ARE COMPLETELY IMAGINARY'
Detained defendant Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün said, "I stand before you as a citizen who is transparent, ready to be held accountable and trusts in justice. I reject the allegations of a criminal organization. There is no evidence in the file. No concrete evidence has been presented in the indictment to support this irrational claim. When you read the notice letters, you will see the expressions 'I heard', 'I am of the opinion', 'I believe'. So, is it possible for these to be legally accepted as evidence? An anonymous report from someone Is it appropriate to file an accusation of organization against someone who devoted his life to being a mayor, after he said "I heard" and "I am thinking" in his letters? It is understood that these letters were prepared by people with political hostility towards me. Is there any mayor against whom a CIMER application has not been made due to personal hostilities? I am facing the allegation of being a "leader of an organization", not because there is concrete evidence, but because the prosecutor's office assumes so. Instead of providing concrete evidence, my friendships were used as a basis for the allegations. The fact that someone who has been the Mayor of Büyükçekmece since 1994 has a wide social circle was tried to be criminalized. The bribery allegations made on my behalf are completely fictitious. Unfortunately, in the indictment, the fact that my children acquired property with their own money was evaluated as a 'criminal organization'. In the indictment, it is said that the so-called bribe was given in return for construction. However, the license and process of the project were never examined. It is not explained in the indictment why the giving of 9 properties to Osman Yeşilgülen was considered a bribe. I am such a mayor that even though the prosecutor's office conducted an investigation with such prejudice, 'Hasan Akgün took money from business people.' He could not say, but had to say, 'Hasan Akgün spent the money he received for the municipality.' I am happy that even these people, whose sole purpose was to accuse me, had to say, 'Even if this man took bribes, he spent the money he received on the public.' Not a penny of illicit money has ever gone into my pockets or those of my family. I have never compromised on these values at any time in my life. All imputations are unreal. I leave it to your conscience that I have been detained for months. I have never violated the rights of the poor. May God not separate anyone from justice. I did not allow the unfair occupation of green areas. "I am struggling not to surrender the district to concrete," he said.
'MY ONLY CRIME IS WORKING AS VICE MAYOR IN A CHP MUNICIPALITY'
Detained defendant Büyükçekmece Deputy Mayor Ömer Kazancı said, "My only crime is being a deputy mayor in a CHP municipality. During my detention, I went to detention examination 11 times. Before each examination, I shaved, wore my suit and was connected via SEGBİS. During this process, many people with much more serious charges were brought to prison. They also participated in SEGBİS examinations, and I stayed in the same cells with some of them. I personally witnessed these releases. Among them, the Center "There were even people who were detained because of the bank file. I spent my children's birthday in prison. I drew a picture of a cake on a piece of paper and showed it to my son. I did not receive any financial or moral benefit from anyone, I did not become a member of a criminal organization. I demand my release and then my acquittal."
The hearing will continue tomorrow at 10:00 with the defense of the defendants being taken.