Tanju Özcan trial continues with 217-year prison demand

The third hearing of the case against 19 defendants, including suspended Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, began at 09:30 today. The session is being held in a special hall set up in the gymnasium of Bolu Social Sciences High School due to high public interest.

Özcan, who is detained at Ankara Sincan Prison, asked through his lawyers to attend the hearing in person. The Bolu 3rd Heavy Penal Court panel rejected his request.

“The prosecution is demanding that Tanju Özcan be sentenced to a total of 69 years and 6 months to up to 217 years in prison for qualified fraud, forming a criminal organization by coercion, attempted crime, and accepting bribery.”

Özcan and detained Deputy Mayor Süleyman Can joined the session via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS). The other two detained defendants, Ali Sarıyıldız and Mustafa Altındal, were brought to the courtroom.

Prosecutors are seeking prison sentences ranging from 69 years and 6 months to up to 217 years for Özcan. The charges include qualified fraud, forming a criminal organization by coercion, attempted crime, and bribery.

The prosecution also requested the application of effective remorse provisions for qualified fraud and the continuation of the current detention status for the four detained defendants.