World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Defendants allege cash demands in Şile Municipality trial
At a hearing in Istanbul, defendants in the Şile Municipality case described alleged cash demands linked to local business and permits.
Hotel investor Nazif Gönen told the court he was asked for 3 million lira to obtain a permit for a hotel in Şile, a district of Istanbul.
He said he paid the money but later lost the permit, and alleged that Mayor Özgür Kabadayı acted on instructions from Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Peacock Beach operator Ercan Aş said he was asked to help cover municipal costs and was later asked for 4 million lira in cash.
Aş said he put the money in two bags and that it was moved from his car into another car at a municipal office on 24 February 2025.
These are allegations made by defendants at trial, not findings of guilt; both men are not in custody.
The hearing took place at the Istanbul Anatolian 27th Heavy Penal Court, and the account gives no decision or next hearing date.
Defendants in a Şile Municipality trial alleged that officials demanded cash from them.
Hotel investor Nazif Gönen said he paid 3 million lira after being told he needed to pay to obtain a licence.
Beach operator Ercan Aş alleged that he prepared 4 million lira in cash at the request of people linked to the municipality.
Aş said the money was transferred from his car’s boot to the car of Oğuz Kaçmaz, a municipal figure.
The allegations were made in court; the article does not include a response from the officials named.
- Who
- Defendants Nazif Gönen and Ercan Aş made allegations involving Şile Mayor Özgür Kabadayı and other municipal figures.
- What
- They alleged demands for cash connected to a hotel licence and municipal needs.
- When
- Gönen did not state when he paid the 3 million lira. Aş described events in the summer of 2024 and on 24 February 2025.
- Where
- The allegations were made at a hearing at the İstanbul Anadolu 27th High Criminal Court. Aş said the cash transfer took place at the Şile Municipality’s Public Works Directorate.
- Why
- Gönen said the payment was demanded to obtain a hotel licence. Aş said he was asked to help with municipal expenses.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ercan Aş said he met Çağlar Ersoy in person at Mercan Köşk.
Aş said Oğuz Kaçmaz called him and put him in contact by phone with Mayor Özgür Kabadayı.
Aş said 4 million lira was demanded in cash.
Aş said he brought the money to the municipality’s Public Works Directorate and it was moved from his car to Kaçmaz’s car.
Milliyet published its report on the court hearing.
- Gönen’s alleged payment
- 3 million lira
- Gönen’s hotel investment
- 11 million dollars
- Aş’s alleged cash payment
- 4 million lira
- Aş’s stated transfer date
- 24 February 2025
- Court
- İstanbul Anadolu 27th High Criminal Court
What people are saying
We did a festival, we have debts, we need to get money from you.
There are payments that are not made officially; we need to receive this in cash.
They demanded 4 million TL in cash.
I put the money I had put in two large shopping bags into Oğuz Kaçmaz’s car that day.