Turkey sentences 5 opposition mayors in cases critics slam as politically motivated
Summary
A court in Istanbul sentenced five mayors from the main opposition party in Turkey on corruption charges related to municipal contracts. Critics say the trial was politically motivated and used secret witnesses to target the Republican People’s Party (CHP), while the government insists its judiciary is independent.Key Facts
- Five opposition mayors were convicted of corruption charges including bribery, bid-rigging, and fraud.
- The mayors were from municipalities run by the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Turkey’s main opposition party.
- The trial lasted seven months and included 200 defendants, with some sentenced and others acquitted.
- Riza Akpolat, mayor of Istanbul’s Besiktas district, received the longest sentence of 23 years and three months.
- Businessman Aziz Ihsan Aktas was accused of controlling companies that won municipal contracts through bribes and fraud.
- Aktas testified against co-defendants under a law that reduces punishment for cooperating with prosecutors.
- The prosecution used secret witnesses whose statements were often based on hearsay (hearsay means secondhand information).
- Critics say the trial was politically motivated and that municipalities run by President Erdogan’s party were not investigated as deeply.
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