The prosecutor’s office has filed an indictment in the “threats and blackmail” investigation against Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan. Özcan filed a complaint in February 2026 alleging that Mehmet Eren Akgüney had blackmailed him. Police detained Akgüney on February 28; on the same day, the prosecutor’s office also detained Özcan as part of an investigation into “extortion by coercion,” and the court ordered Özcan’s detention and sent him to Sincan Prison. According to the indictment, Özcan sent sexually explicit messages to municipal employee Öznur Ç., these messages fell into the hands of Akgüney, Öznur Ç.’s ex-boyfriend, and Akgüney demanded 20 million TL, a car, and a car wash facility from Özcan. The prosecution classified Özcan’s statements toward Öznur Ç. as “blackmail” and sought up to three years in prison for Özcan. The prosecution also sought up to 13 years in prison for Akgüney; and up to three years each for E.B. and H.E.S. on charges of aiding and abetting blackmail.
March 14, 2026
Cumhuriyet