Tanju Özcan seeks acquittal in trial where he faces 263 years in prison

At a hearing in Bolu Heavy Penal Court, Bolu Municipality Mayor Tanju Özcan rejected all allegations against him and requested acquittal.

The Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had sought a prison sentence ranging from 90 years 3 months to 263 years 6 months against Özcan on charges of embezzlement on 6 counts, attempted embezzlement on 3 counts, aggravated fraud on 34 counts, and bribery on 1 count. The same indictment includes 19 defendants; 4 of them continue to be tried while in custody.

Operations began on February 28; along with Özcan, deputy mayors Süleyman Can and Leyla Beykoz, members of the BOLSEV board of directors, and the municipality's financial services director were taken into custody. During the trial process, Beykoz, Aydan Özdemir, Financial Services Director Naim Ayhan, and City Council Member Cihan Tutal were released.

Özcan said at the hearing: "There is no crime here, and I believe you will acquit me." The case remains one of the most comprehensive local government investigations affecting nearly the entire elected administration of Bolu Municipality.