Ex-deputy accused of fuel theft

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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The former deputy from the southeastern province of Mardin, Süleyman Bölünmez, was elected as an independent in the 2002 general elections. He was arrested in 2001 for smuggling fuel and was released after seven months in prison, utilizing the parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

He was free to smuggle fuel without a threat of prosecution until 2007, when he lost his Parliament seat, said the indictment.The antalya police charged 11 people including Bölünmez for smuggling fuel. The suspects allegedly told authorities the fuel they imported from Greece was "spoiled" and that they had returned it. The indictment said the smuggling operation happened in 2005 and that wiretaps on Bölünmez’s associates at the time showed they all recognized him as the leader.

Bölünmez was not wiretapped because he was a deputy. Also in 2005, Bölünmez testified at the Parliament Fuel Smuggling Investigation Commission, telling members, "I am willing to solve the fuel smuggling problem in 10 days. The only thing I need is support and authority. Many people earn money by smuggling fuel."