In a major speech Thursday (August 14), chairman of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Özgür Özel made major allegations of bribery related to the ongoing imprisonment of Murat Kapki, a businessman arrested in connection with raids on Istanbul’s opposition officials in recent months.
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| Turkish opposition alleges bribes exchanged for reduced sentences Turkish opposition alleges bribes exchanged for reduced sentences |
Özel had hinted at the announcement in a political rally in Istanbul’s Bayrampaşa district Wednesday evening, saying he would be making ‘bombshell allegations’ the following day.
According to Özel’s Thursday announcement as well as Kapki’s own statements on the matter, the imprisoned businessman was reportedly approached by Mücahit Birinci, a former affiliate of Turkey’s ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP), who suggested that Kapki pay $2 million as well as sign a statement containing damning allegations towards the CHP.
Despite multiple declarations of ‘effective remorse’ in recent months, Kapki has remained behind bars since the major arrests carried out against the Istanbul municipality.
Exclusive reporting by journalist Barış Terkoğlu later revealed Mücahit Birinci had been serving as Kapki’s lawyer, a detail confirmed by Birinci himself.
Kapki has said he rejected Birinci’s request that he pay $2 million and sign the written statement.
Birinci is a former member of the AKP’s executive board. Özel’s allegations Thursday heavily imply that AKP partisans linked to the Turkish deep state have been seeking and accepting bribes in exchange for shorter prison sentences. Özel’s announcement referenced “AK Toroslar”, referring to Renault’s Toros model compact car, allegedly used by deep state operatives for assassinations and kidnappings throughout the 1990s.
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Prosecutor announces probe
Immediatedly following Özel’s announcement Thursday, Istanbul’s Chief Prosecutor launched an investigation related to “the alleged meeting between Mr Kapki and his lawyer Mr Birinci in prison”.
AKP denies involvement
In a statement following Özel’s allegations, AKP Vice Chair Hayati Yazıcı released a statement denying the party’s connection to the the allegedly proposed bribe, saying: “Those who attempt to interfere with our judiciary are dishonorable and low.”
Written/translated for Medyascope by Leo Kendrick
