Prosecutor asks for 397 years in jail for İzmir mayor
Hurriyet.com.tr
Aziz Kocaoğlu. DHA photo
Specially authorized chief prosecutor Birol Çengil demanded today that İzmir Mayor Aziz Kocaoğlu be sentenced to 397 years in prison on a count of 33 separate charges.The prosecutor charged Kocaoğlu of the Republican People's Party (CHP) with "rigging state tenders, abuse of office, bribery, forgery, embezzlement” and a number of other crimes. The indictment also accused the mayor of forming and leading a criminal organization, covering up crimes and protecting criminals.
Kocaoğlu was identified as the "number-one suspect" and "organization leader" in the indictment.
Kocaoğlu had testified Jan. 3 on fraud allegations in the İzmir municipality.
Police raided Karabağlar municipality in İzmir and Kuşadası in adjacent Aydın on May 2 on suspicions of corruption that also included allegations of interfering with public tenders. Police initially detained 44 people, 10 of whom were released after being interrogated. The remaining 34 were then questioned by the prosecutor until Aug. 2.
