Up to 12 years in prison were requested for Rezan Epözdemir

An indictment was prepared against lawyer Rezan Epözdemir for "mediation of bribery", demanding a prison sentence of 4 to 12 years.

According to DHA news, an indictment has been prepared against detained lawyer Rezan Epözdemir.

The investigation launched by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office has been concluded. Epözdemir, who was arrested on August 14, faces a prison sentence of four to 12 years.

The prepared indictment was sent to the Istanbul 18th High Criminal Court.

Rezan Epözdemir was detained on August 10 as part of two separate investigations into charges of "bribery," "aiding the FETÖ/PDY armed terrorist organization," and "political and military espionage." Epözdemir was referred to the courthouse on August 13 after completing her procedures at the police station.

Rezan Epözdemir was referred to the Criminal Court of Peace on Duty with a request for her arrest on charges of facilitating bribery and for a judicial control measure in the form of a travel ban on charges of aiding an armed terrorist organization and political and military espionage.

Epözdemir was arrested on bribery charges. The court rejected the prosecutor's request for a travel ban on terrorism charges.

Epözdemir denied all accusations in his statement to the prosecutor's office.

In her statement, Rezan Epözdemir initially claimed that the investigation was being conducted by an unauthorized authority. Epözdemir also argued that the file should have been sent to the Council of Judges and Prosecutors pursuant to Article 86 of Law No. 2802, noting that a similar file had previously been sent to the HSK.

Epözdemir stated that he had submitted the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court decisions to this effect. He requested the destruction of private documents and the return of valuable documents.

Epözdemir explained that she met dismissed prosecutor Cengiz Çallı in 2007 at the Gaziosmanpaşa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, where he was the Istanbul Bar Association representative at the time. Epözdemir, noting that Çallı had been acting as his representative since 2020, said, "I don't recall going on vacation or to dinner with Cengiz Çallı after work." Epözdemir stated that private relationships like vacations or meals don't pose a legal problem unless they involve a legal case.

Epözdemir claimed that Çallı never submitted a power of attorney for his investigations and said that he stopped visiting offices after April 2021 due to the intensification of his work.

Epözdemir also responded to questions about Atalay Demirbaş, a bribery suspect, saying he met Demirbaş through a mutual friend. Epözdemir explained that he "gave him power of attorney in 2018 but resigned after learning he was a fraudster."

Epözdemir, who said, “Atalay Demirbaş is a fraudster as can be seen when his criminal record is examined,” claimed that Demirbaş had been demanding money from him for 5 years.

Epözdemir claimed that he had had legal disputes with Zihni Çakır in the past and that the person in question had conspired against him in the files in which he testified in his favor.

Epözdemir also stated that he found the bribery allegations based on WhatsApp messages contradictory. He stated that the July 7, 2021, message did not match the alleged dates of the money exchange, and that the suspicious money belonged to Cengiz Çallı, not himself. He also stated that the promissory notes seized in his office, dated July 9, 2021, constituted unlawful evidence and were documents supporting the debt claim.

Epözdemir also said that branch manager Hüseyin Mercan and customer Veysi Karaman witnessed him lending money at the Sultangazi Halkbank branch and demanded that these individuals be heard.

Epözdemir requested the lifting of the judicial control measure imposed on him as part of the investigation. He stated that he had travel plans for his son's language education in London and submitted documents related to his flight reservations to the file. He also requested that an investigation be launched against those who made statements against him for slander under Article 267 of the Turkish Penal Code.

Epözdemir's lawyers, Ahmet Gökçen, Murat Öksüz and Tahsin Emircan Bilginer, also reiterated their client's statements and requested his release without any judicial control measures being implemented.

Former AKP MP Şamil Tayyar claimed in a post that Rezan Epözdemir's interrogation could lead to a major crisis.

In a message shared from his X account , Tayyar said, "The interrogation of Rezan Epözdemir is about to escalate into a serious crisis. The suspect persistently refuses to give his cell phone password. Because the password crisis hasn't been resolved, the interrogation period has been extended. Many prominent figures, including Mehmet Uçum, are involved, and they've put Chief Prosecutor Akın Gürlek under siege."

Asking, “Who was bothered by the possibility of the suspect’s cell phone being opened, especially Uçum, and why?” Tayyar also called on AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, saying, “Do not leave the Chief Public Prosecutor alone.”

Following Şamil Tayyar, Metin Külünk shared a similar post, stating that pressure was being put on Akın Gürlek, asking , "Why this panic, why this rush in some circles in Ankara? Whether it's in lines close to the government, or even at the center of the government, or in the opposition..."

Külünk wrote:

"Why this pressure for his release? And you're trying to put pressure on the attorney general, using your questionable power in the seats you hold...

We say it clearly: You are the ones who have caused the greatest harm to Mr. @tcbestepe @RTErdogan.

You are attempting to obstruct the investigation because you fear the danger of the collapse of the mechanisms you established by seizing control of the AK Party movement and declaring your fiefdom through the seats you seized. Stay where you are!

Making an open appeal to President Erdoğan, Külünk wrote, “Those who are trying to put pressure on Mr. Akın Gürlek through the ongoing investigation are the very ones trying to isolate you.”

Former AKP Central Executive Committee (MKYK) member Mücahit Birinci also made a similar statement to Tayyar and Külünk, saying, "The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office cannot be put under pressure. Everything that is happening is happening right before our eyes. It is impossible to allow this recklessness."

The first wrote:

“I clearly state that we will not hesitate to openly fight those who support the minority elites.

We, who have been involved in the movement since 1994 with our late father and family, did not set out to create an "elite, untouchable minority" in society. On the contrary, we dreamed of dismantling this "minority elitism." We did not support these types. Once again, I congratulate all our prosecutors and chief prosecutors, especially our Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, for addressing these issues with determination and courage.

Our nation's prayers are enough for them. Continue..."

Chief Advisor to the President Mehmet Uçum, who is at the center of the allegations, responded to the allegations through his lawyer, Zeynep Yıldırım. This statement was also announced by Fuat Uğur, a journalist close to the government.

The statement, which stated that the allegations were unfounded, said, "All posts targeting my client's personal rights and attempting to influence a fair trial are unfounded. There is no interference by my client in any investigation process."

Tayyar responded to Uçum's lawyer's statement, saying, "My intention is not to engage in polemics with anyone. Those who know me know that I will not hesitate to do so if necessary. My message was clear; I wanted our President to know what was going on."

Tayyar, who said, “My message has reached its address,” explained:

My message reached its addressee, and I never worried about our President's insight. Meanwhile, if anyone files a lawsuit, we'll settle the score in court. My final sentence is to the clown who intervenes whenever there's a debate on this matter: 'Have you no honor? Is it worth barking here and there for a pittance?' For me, the matter is closed.