The Trial of Muhittin Böcek and His Son Mustafa Gökhan Böcek Continued

The trial of 41 defendants, including Muhittin Böcek, who was arrested and suspended from his duty as mayor within the scope of the 'bribery' and 'corruption' investigation against Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, continued.

At the 4th hearing of the case held at Antalya 6th High Criminal Court, detained defendants Muhittin Böcek and his son Mustafa Gökhan Böcek were present in the hall. Some of the audience who watched the hearing applauded and supported Muhittin Böcek as he entered the hall. Muhittin Böcek also greeted them.

At the hearing, witnesses Ahmet P., who worked as a sales consultant in a jeweler, and Serkan Ç. He claimed that 2 million 300 thousand and then 4 million 350 thousand liras of money, which was brought to the workplace by Gökhan Böcek and stated to belong to Gökhan Böcek, were sent to Muhittin Böcek's daughter-in-law, Zuhal Böcek, and Nurhak E., by preparing documents in return for the 'gold exchange' transaction.

The other witness, Burhan K., said that he had no information about the purpose for which money was sent from the company account. Fatih A., one of the witnesses, also said that after receiving the money that Serkan Ç. brought with his backpack in February and then in May, he counted it and handed it over to the safe.

The unarrested defendant, Serkan Ç., said that he took 2.5 million liras worth of foreign currency in a store bag, and 4 million 350 thousand liras in a suitcase on the second trip.

'I WAS ARRESTED BECAUSE I AM MUHITTIN BÖCEK'S SON'

In his defense, Mustafa Gökhan Böcek said that he responded to the allegations against him from the first day. Stating that he continues to be detained on suspicion of tampering with evidence and escaping, Mustafa Gökhan Böcek said, "I have been detained for approximately 13 months. I was arrested because I am Muhittin Böcek's son."

I left my child, my wife, my family. My child was 9 months old, now he is 22 months old. This period in my son's life is almost half of his life. During this process, he learned to walk and talk. I feel sad about not being able to be with you.

In plain sight, he pulls me towards the door where the visitors are. I don't say this to exploit emotions. I am not the only one paying the price for my detention.

My grandfather's health, who raised me until I was 6, deteriorated. My mother got cancer again under the influence of this process. In the past, I was interested in everything. I can't be with you now.

I don't want any privilege from you. I want to be with my family and my child if there is no longer any doubt of escape or possibility of obscuring evidence. "I demand that a decision be taken to implement judicial control measures," he said.

'I AM DEALING WITH THE SLANDERS AND FABRICATIONS OF THOSE WHO TAKE MY DETENTION AN OPPORTUNITY'

Muhittin Böcek said the following in his defense:

"We are in September. I hope that the new judicial year will lead to good days with health, happiness, confidence in justice and freedom for you, our judges, prosecutors, colleagues and lawyer friends, and that the decisions to be taken will be good.

I have made sincere statements to the questions posed to me since July 5, 2025. I believe that I have contributed transparently to the judicial authorities and the functioning of the process, and have sincerely fulfilled my duties.

I have been detained for 15 months. Lately, I have been dealing with the slander and fabrications of those who took advantage of my detention. My constitutional rights are being violated. We are entrusted to the state and justice.

Whatever I did during this process, I did for my state, my nation and justice. I hope that justice will be served. I know very well the perception created behind me during my detention period.

I do not think that anyone will influence our members of the judiciary and our judiciary in the name of supreme Turkish justice. Our greatest wish is to continue to respect the word of the state and justice.

Considering my current health condition, I cannot receive treatment because my 4 doctors who have been keeping me going for 20 years are in a private hospital. I've never done anything wrong in my life.

I did not cause any public harm to my municipality. I did not take 10 days of leave during my 6-term presidency. I dedicated my life to my fellow citizens. I almost died due to coronavirus, I started working 3 days later.

"I repeat my previous statements and demand my release."

The court decided to continue the detention of Muhittin Böcek and Mustafa Gökhan Böcek and postponed the hearing.