Corruption Trial Begins for Former Berlin Senator Dilek Kalayci

The former health senator faces allegations of accepting unpaid wedding services in exchange for awarding a lucrative government contract.

Dilek Kalayci, former Berlin health senator and SPD member, is accused of bribery related to her 2019 wedding arrangements.
Prosecutors allege that a marketing agency provided services worth €11,200 for her wedding without issuing an invoice, aiming to secure a government contract.
The same agency later received contracts worth €268,000 from the health department, allegedly influenced by Kalayci’s intervention.
Both Kalayci and the agency owner deny the charges, asserting that the services were expected to be invoiced and paid properly.
The trial, scheduled to run until late April, will include testimony from witnesses starting on January 24.