Former Berlin Senator Kalayci Sentenced to Suspended Sentence for Corruption

The Berlin Regional Court has sentenced Dilek Kalayci, the former health senator of Berlin and member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), to an 18-month suspended prison term for corruption. The court found that Kalayci had engaged in corrupt practices related to her wedding planning in 2019.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Kalayci had arranged for the costs of her wedding, amounting to approximately EUR11,240, to be covered by a private business. In exchange for the wedding services, it was determined that Kalayci's office would award the company a lucrative government contract. Subsequently, her department commissioned the firm to conduct a campaign promoting careers in nursing, which cost the government EUR267,830. The contractor reportedly made a profit of around EUR9,450 while Kalayci benefited indirectly from the arrangement.

The contractor involved in this case was also sentenced, receiving a similar 15-month suspended sentence for his role in the bribery scheme. Additionally, the court ordered the confiscation of EUR6,242 from Kalayci and EUR9,450 from the contractor.

The prosecution had sought a sentence of 18 months for Kalayci along with a monetary penalty of EUR36,000, equivalent to 180 daily rates of EUR200. For the contractor, the prosecution recommended a 15-month suspended sentence with a fine of EUR7,500, based on 150 daily rates of EUR50.

Kalayci consistently maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings, insisting that she was unaware of any wrongdoing. In her final statement, she reiterated her claim that she had not accepted bribes. She cited her busy professional life and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic as contributing factors to the misunderstanding regarding the wedding expenses.

Kalayci previously held the position of labor senator from 2011 to 2016 before serving as health senator until 2021. She had announced her decision not to seek re-election in 2020. The ruling issued on Friday is not yet final and is subject to appeal.