Shopping Mall on TEM Highway Owned by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, Whom Prosecutors Seek 280 Years in Prison For, Prepares for Opening

The shopping mall on the TEM Highway owned by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, for whom the Office of the Chief Prosecutor has requested between 103 and 280 years in prison on charges of establishing a criminal organization, bribery, and tampering with public procurement, is preparing to open. Premium clothing brand outlet stores and restaurant chain signs are already in place; however, the opening date has not yet been confirmed.

The fact that a special law was passed by Parliament at midnight for the shopping mall's construction permit made the project controversial from the outset. Aktaş had alleged that bribes were paid to Gaziosmanpaşa 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 have accepted Aktaş's allegations.