Tekin Arhun Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison, Muslu Acquitted

Arhun was found guilty of 12 counts related to "Forging Documents" and "Using Forged Documents." In contrast, Muslu, who was tried in the same case, was acquitted based on the court's decision that he was unaware of the document's forgery and had not participated in the crime. Muslu's family and loved ones reacted to the verdict with tears of relief.

The case involved allegations that both Arhun and Muslu had falsified two pages of a work report related to the Wastewater and Sewage Construction Project in the Bafra Tourism Investment Region.

Arhun Found Guilty on 12 Counts

The verdict was delivered by a panel led by Judge Füsun Cemaller, Senior Judge Vedia Berkut Barkın, and Judge Tutku Candaş. The court found Tekin Arhun guilty on 12 counts, while Turgut Muslu was acquitted due to his lack of knowledge about the forgery and non-involvement in the crime.

Cemaller: "The Most Challenging Task of the Courts Is to Determine the Most Just and Fair Punishment"

In delivering the judgment, Judge Füsun Cemaller noted that Arhun's defense lawyer highlighted mitigating factors, including Arhun's status as a married father of two, a businessman employing nearly a thousand people, and a top taxpayer. However, the court also emphasized that determining the most just and fair punishment requires considering the severity of the crime, the roles played by the accused, and the impact on public interest.

"The Defendant's Crimes Are Punishable by Up to 10 Years in Prison"

The court noted that the crimes for which Arhun was convicted—"Forgery of Official Documents" and "Using Forged Documents"—are punishable by up to 10 years in prison under Chapter 154 of the Penal Code. The court also highlighted that these offenses are prevalent and pose a significant threat to public interest, warranting deterrent sentences.

"The Defendant Planned the Crime in Advance"

The court found that Arhun had planned the crime in advance, obtaining the document from Turgut Muslu and falsifying it before submitting it to the court as evidence. This premeditation was considered an aggravating factor in determining the sentence. The court emphasized that attempting to deceive the court is unacceptable and aggravates the severity of the crime.

"10 Years Is a Long Time in a Person's Life"

While considering Arhun's lack of prior convictions and the lengthy legal process that began in 2014, the court also recognized the distress caused by the uncertainty over the years. Ultimately, the court sentenced Arhun to four years in prison on each of the 12 counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Defense to Appeal the Decision

Following the verdict, defense attorney Serhan Çınar announced plans to appeal the decision.

Background

The case stemmed from allegations that Tekin Arhun and Turgut Muslu falsified two pages of a work report related to the Wastewater and Sewage Construction Project in the Bafra Tourism Investment Region. The report, presented by Arhun's company C&T Construction in a civil lawsuit at the Nicosia District Court in 2014, was alleged to have been forged, leading to a police complaint by Kaskon LTD. The legal process, which began in 2014, faced delays until the case was brought to the Assize Court in 2022.