Shopping mall on TEM highway owned by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, whom prosecutors seek 280 years imprisonment for, prepares for opening

A shopping mall on the TEM Highway owned by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, against whom the Republic's Office of the Chief Prosecutor has sought prison sentences ranging from 103 to 280 years on charges of 'establishing a criminal organization', 'bribery', and 'bid rigging', is preparing for opening. Signs for premium clothing brand outlets and food and beverage chains are already hung; the opening date has not yet been finalized.

The passage of a special law through parliament at midnight for the mall's construction permit has made the project controversial from the start. Aktaş alleged that a bribe was paid to Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe in exchange for excavation permission; following this allegation, Bahçetepe was arrested. While the case continues with numerous defendants including his partner Gürkan Dölekli and operations manager Özer Ayık, none of the other defendants accept Aktaş's allegations.