Bursa Metropolitan Municipality case: Up to 402 years imprisonment sought for Mustafa Bozbey
Within the investigation conducted regarding Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, up to 402 years of imprisonment was requested for the detained Mayor Mustafa Bozbey. Photo: Bursa Metropolitan Municipality
In Bursa, an indictment was prepared against 63 people, including 37 detainees, among them the dismissed and detained Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, on charges of "forming and managing an organization to commit crimes, being a member of an organization established to commit crimes, bribery, laundering assets derived from crime, and causing zoning pollution."
The 862-page indictment prepared by the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and accepted by the Bursa 2nd High Criminal Court alleges the existence of two separate criminal organizations operating under the "leadership" of Mustafa Bozbey and Turgay Erdem.
The indictment claims that during his term as Nilüfer Mayor, Mustafa Bozbey established a certain organizational structure, used public power to prevent fractures within this structure, thereby maintaining unity, laundered crime proceeds by actively involving family members, and gave unlawful orders to other suspects who were members of the organization.
It is alleged in the indictment that Bozbey granted Turgay Erdem, then Deputy Mayor of Nilüfer, unauthorized powers described as "single signature," and with this authority, violated the Zoning Law and regulations by approving permits for irregular projects in exchange for bribes from company owners. Under Bozbey's leadership, bribes were taken from construction company owners in return for unauthorized increases in building coefficients, resulting in unlawful economic gains.
The indictment requests up to 402 years imprisonment for Mustafa Bozbey on charges of "forming and managing an organization to commit crimes," "accepting bribes," "causing zoning pollution," and "illegally assuming public office." Turgay Erdem faces up to 946 years imprisonment, while the other 61 defendants are sought to be sentenced to varying prison terms.
Within the investigation conducted by the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it is alleged that former mayors Mustafa Bozbey and Turgay Erdem of Nilüfer district, along with some municipal employees, provided financial benefits to themselves and project owners by making unauthorized increases in building coefficients in exchange for bribes in construction projects. On March 31, 57 people including Mustafa Bozbey, his wife S. Bozbey, daughter S. G, brothers R. Bozbey and E. Bozbey, some municipal employees, and many others accused of giving bribes were detained.
One of those taken to the courthouse was released after prosecutor questioning. Later, 56 people were referred to the criminal peace judge, and on April 4, 23 people including Bozbey were arrested.
