’Tips’ not bribes: Court

The prosecutor accused 14 officials of the bureau of receiving bribes, forming a criminal gang and abuse of authority. Hidden cameras were used to prove the officials were taking money from people who were registering their homes. The police investigation was launched last year in January.

The trial lasted for a year. On Jan. 20, the Ankara court ruled 10 of the 14 suspects were not guilty of bribery and forming a criminal gang, but were guilty of abuse of authority. Four were found not guilty of all charges. Those found guilty were sentenced to suspended jail terms ranging from one to two years. After the investigation was launched, Property Registry Department Deputy Director Mehmet Zeki Adlı defended his officials, arguing, "15,200 (Turkish) liras given by home owners to officials are being classified as bribes.

In our tradition, people in their happiest moments, when they get married or buy a house, give tips to those around them."Public Works Minister Faruk Nafiz Özak also defended the officials, asking people not to confuse tips with bribes. "We are against anything unethical, even the most minute. But this should not be exaggerated," he said.

The court also ruled that the officials return $4,605, 1,335 euros and 7,545 liras found in their homes during the investigation. The money was registered in court minutes as "proceeds from criminal acts."

If the transaction were termed "bribery," the officials would have got 4-12 year terms.