Bolu Mayor Özcan Faces Trial with Up to 263 Years in Prison Sought

The Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has submitted its indictment to the court against Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan and 18 defendants; Hürriyet is following the case.

The charges listed against Özcan in the indictment are as follows: 6 counts of 'coerced embezzlement,' each assessed as having been committed separately against each victim, 3 counts of 'attempted coerced embezzlement,' 34 counts of 'aggravated fraud,' and 1 count of 'bribery.' The total sentence sought ranges from 90 years 3 months to 263 years 6 months.

At the hearing held on the second day of the trial, detained defendant Süleyman Can said he would be leaving politics. During the legal proceedings, Leyla Beykoz, Aydan Özdemir, Naim Ayhan, and Cihan Tutal had previously been released; Özcan, however, remains in detention.

The investigation had expanded through operations carried out on various dates since 28 February. Deputy Mayors, members of the BOLSEV Board of Directors, and Bolu Grocers' Chamber President Mustafa Altındal were also among those initially detained.

The trial at the Bolu Courthouse is ongoing.