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// DOSSIER — turkish-court-sentences-opposition-mayors-corruption-trial
Turkish Court Sentences Five Opposition Mayors in High-Profile Corruption Trial
REL_TIME: 25 Aug 2026 22:42Z · LANG: EN
On August 24, 2026, the Istanbul 1st High Criminal Court sentenced five opposition mayors from the Kemalist Republican People's Party (CHP) to prison terms ranging from nearly six years to over 23 years following the 200-defendant 'Aziz İhsan Aktaş criminal organization case.' Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat received the longest sentence of 23 years and three months for bid-rigging, bribery, and money laundering. While all defendants were acquitted of belonging to a criminal organization, the prosecution relied on the confessions of contractor Aziz İhsan Aktaş, who received a reduced suspended sentence under effective remorse provisions. Opposition leaders and defense attorneys condemned the trial as politically motivated 'judicial murder' aimed at neutralizing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's political rivals following the CHP's 2024 election victories.
// Background
Following significant opposition victories by the CHP in Turkey's March 2024 local elections, Turkish judicial authorities initiated broad corruption investigations targeting CHP-run municipalities. Over 30 opposition mayors have since been arrested or removed from office, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Political reshuffling and court interventions subsequently led former CHP leader Özgür Özel to form the new political group 'Yeni Parti' in mid-2026.
// Key Developments
- Five CHP opposition mayors received prison sentences ranging from nearly six years to over 23 years on corruption charges.
- Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat received the heaviest sentence of 23 years and three months for bribery, tender-rigging, and money laundering.
- All 200 defendants were acquitted of charges related to forming, leading, or belonging to a criminal organization.
- Star witness Aziz İhsan Aktaş received a short suspended sentence and asset return after turning state's confessor.
- Opposition leaders denounced the verdicts as politically motivated targeting of rivals following the CHP's 2024 election wins.
// Timeline
-
CHP emerges as the leading political party in Turkey's local elections.
-
Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer is arrested, marking the start of municipal removals.
-
Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat is arrested in the initial operation of the Aktaş investigation.
-
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is arrested on corruption charges, triggering widespread protests.
-
Contractor Aziz İhsan Aktaş provides state testimony under effective remorse, prompting further mayor detentions.
-
The Istanbul 1st High Criminal Court issues final verdicts in the Aktaş trial, sentencing five opposition mayors.
// Perspectives
[Opposition Parties (CHP & NEW Party)]
Denounces the trials as politically motivated 'judicial murder' meant to undermine democratically elected opposition officials through manufactured charges and coerced testimonies.
[Turkish Government & Judiciary]
Maintains that the judicial proceedings strictly target anti-corruption, bribery, and public tender violations in municipal governance without political bias.
// Quotes
“I am innocent. There is no concrete evidence in this case. Everything is based on testimony given by slanderers.”
“The person for whom 280 years in prison was demanded, and who forms the very foundation of this case, received only two years and eight months. Why? Because this man did not turn confessor; he carried out the political order placed before him and became a slanderer!”
