Turkish Mayor’s Trial Reveals Claims of Miscarriage, ‘Off the Record’ Testimony, and Longstanding Ties
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The high-profile trial of Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, embroiled in the “Aziz İhsan Aktaş Criminal Organization Case,” continues to unfold with dramatic testimony revealing personal hardship, intricate financial dealings, and decades-long relationships. The case, involving 200 defendants and currently detaining 33, entered its second week with compelling defenses from key figures, including the wife’s brother of a co-defendant and the mayor’s own driver. Prosecutors are seeking sentences of up to 415 years in prison for Akpolat.
Family Tragedy Amidst Legal Battle
The sixth day of hearings at Istanbul’s 1st High Criminal Court was marked by deeply personal testimony from Kazim Gökhan Yankılıç, brother of Rıza Akpolat’s wife, Yeşim Akpolat. Yankılıç, detained on charges of “laundering assets resulting from crime” and “forgery of official documents,” pleaded for release, revealing the devastating impact of his detention on his family. “During this period, my wife had a miscarriage and we lost our child. We couldn’t experience this pain together,” he stated, adding that eight months of detention had left him unable to support his wife through the ordeal.
Yankılıç vehemently denied allegations of planned flat purchases linked to illicit commissions, stating, “If there was a commission as claimed, we would have bought nearly three flats from there.” He presented sales contracts and financial documentation to the court, asserting his family’s legitimate financial standing. He explained that his wedding in 2017 demonstrated their financial capabilities and emphasized that all foreign currency transactions were conducted legally through banks and authorized exchange offices. Yankılıç also noted that his family had long-held savings, some traditionally kept “under the pillow,” a common practice in Turkey. He maintained that the accusations of asset laundering were untrue.
Driver’s Testimony Points to Following Orders
Perhaps the most striking testimony came from Mehmet Ataş, Rıza Akpolat’s official driver, who delivered what was described as an “off the record” defense. Ataş insisted he was merely following instructions. “During my term of office, I was responsible for fulfilling the instructions given in line with the needs of the presidency,” he told the court. He claimed all actions, including money transfers to his personal account, were carried out “in line with the knowledge and instructions of Mr. Rıza,” and that he had no authority to question the source or purpose of the funds.
Ataş further stated that payments made outside of his bank accounts were also directed by Akpolat, and that these transactions were not conducted secretly. He denied any supervisory authority over personnel, characterizing himself as a “worker fulfilling my duty as a state employee.” When questioned about a villa, boat, and Audi vehicle in Acarkent, Ataş claimed limited knowledge, stating he only accompanied Akpolat to the villa once and that Akpolat did not claim ownership of the Audi during a car purchase. He inferred the boat was being sold based on overheard conversations between Akpolat’s brother-in-law and son-in-law. When pressed by lawyer Hasan Sınar about unregistered funds, Ataş admitted receiving money “by hand, not from the bank.”
Childhood Friendship and Financial Transactions
Rabil Artan, a childhood friend of Rıza Akpolat, also testified, describing a decades-long relationship that began in 2009. Artan recounted how neighborliness evolved into a close friendship, even extending to his wife working as a wet nurse for Akpolat’s child. “We used each other’s vehicles and houses. It is a brotherhood that goes back years,” he stated, emphasizing that their connection predated Akpolat’s mayoral position. Artan detailed receiving a power of attorney to purchase a flat in Arya Houses, funded by a 22 million lira transfer, and expressed distress that his arrest had been concealed from his son, who still believes his father is serving in the military.
Interim Ruling Expected as Defense Wraps Up
The Istanbul 1st High Criminal Court has now heard defenses from 28 of the 28 detained defendants. The remaining five detained individuals are expected to present their cases today, completing the defense phase for those currently in custody. Following the completion of these testimonies, the court will begin hearing from the non-arrested defendants. An interim assessment of the detention status of the currently held defendants is anticipated by the end of the week, with the prosecutor expected to deliver an interim opinion tomorrow before the panel makes its decision. Aziz İhsan Aktaş, identified as the alleged leader of the criminal organization, remains at liberty during the proceedings.
