Former Berlin Health Senator Convicted of Bribery in Wedding Scandal

Dilek Kalayci received a suspended 1.5-year prison sentence for corruption linked to a government contract, with plans for an appeal announced.

Dilek Kalayci, Berlin's former Health Senator, was found guilty of bribery related to her 2019 wedding and sentenced to a 1.5-year suspended prison term.
The court ruled that a marketing agency organized the wedding without billing Kalayci, in exchange for a €267,830 government contract awarded in 2020.
Both Kalayci and the agency owner, who also received a suspended sentence, maintain their innocence and plan to appeal the verdict.
The court ordered the confiscation of €6,242 from Kalayci and €9,450 from the agency owner as proceeds from the crime.
The verdict, not yet legally binding, has raised concerns about public trust in governance, with Kalayci facing potential loss of her pension if upheld.