Turkish court hands lengthy prison terms to five opposition mayors amid politicised corruption case
A court in Istanbul convicted five mayors from the main opposition party on bribery and fraud charges, a verdict critics say is driven by politics.
In a seven-month trial held near Silivri Prison, an Istanbul court sentenced five mayors belonging to the Republican People’s Party to prison terms ranging from five to over 23 years for alleged bribery, money laundering and bid-rigging linked to municipal contracts. The harshest penalty was imposed on Riza Akpolat, the mayor of Istanbul’s Besiktas district, who received 23 years and three months. Prosecutors built their case on secret witnesses and the testimony of businessman Aziz Ihsan Aktas, who said he provided cash, cars and other benefits to secure tenders.
Critics argue the trial was politically motivated, pointing out that comparable investigations have not been pursued in municipalities controlled by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party. The government reiterated that Turkey’s courts are free from political interference. The proceedings also involved around 200 defendants, some of whom were acquitted, while other CHP-run districts such as Adana and Adiyaman faced separate probes.
Why it matters
The verdict could reshape local power dynamics and raise concerns about the independence of Turkey's judiciary.
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