Antalya 4th High Criminal Court accepts ANSET case: 55 defendants, 113 million lira public damage claim

Antalya 4th High Criminal Court accepted the 1,849-page indictment against Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and its subsidiary ANSET on October 19.

In the investigation conducted by Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor, charges were filed against 55 defendants; 15 of the defendants are in custody. Among them are detained Mayor Muhittin Böcek and former ANSET General Manager Cansel Çevikol Tuncer.

According to the indictment, ANSET spent 359 million 990 thousand lira on festivals, concerts, and cultural events between 2021 and 2025. From this amount, which reached 778 million 394 thousand lira when adjusted for inflation, the expert report calculated public damage of 113 million 426 thousand 440 lira and 41 kuruş, including interest.

The indictment alleges that irregularities occurred in municipal tenders, public resources were transferred to specific companies, and proceeds from the crimes were laundered. In preparing the report, Court of Accounts and inspector investigations, Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) data, and bank account transactions were used.

Böcek was the longest-serving mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality since 2004; the municipality had the highest budget among major cities won by the CHP prior to the 2019 elections.