Bulgaria's Consul in Bursa Faces 46 Years in Jail

Bulgaria's honorary consul in the Turkish city of Bursa will be charged with illegal trade in objects of historical value, local prosecutors announced after a two-month probe.

Hayati Korkmaz faces a 46-year jail sentence if found guilty.

Korkmaz, who moved to Turkey from Bulgaria in 1973, was detained on New Year's Eve in a police operation, which was launched in March to track down channels for illegal trade in valuable artefacts.

The police raid covered the provinces of Bursa, Eski?ehir and other cities. More than sixty people were arrested, including the coach of Eski?ehirspor football club and his wife.

Following the detention, Bulgaria's foreign ministry stripped the consul of his diplomatic status.

Hayati Korkmaz was born in the Bulgarian town of Ardino. After emigrating to Turkey he worked as a manager in the trade company Mo-Bu and published articles on political issues in the Eko Haber weekly.

He is one of the most prominent public figures in Turkey, former member of the country's Grand National Assembly and Bulgaria's honorary consul in the Turkish town of Bursa since 2004.

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