Türkiye · Thursday, 22 October 2026
Opposition mayor of Bolu sentenced to over seven years for extortion

A Turkish court convicted CHP mayor Tanju Özcan of repeated extortion through coercion, sentencing him to just over seven years in prison and banning him from politics for four years; he was also suspended from office pending appeal. Özcan, long known for clashes with Ankara, called the verdict politically motivated and said he would appeal.