Cash images leaked to the press turned out to belong to someone else: New development in the Üsküdar Municipality operation

The detention process has been completed in the bribery investigation targeting Üsküdar Municipality, which was conducted in Istanbul and Yalova and resulted in the seizure of 4.5 million liras in cash. Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the teams of the Istanbul Police Department's Financial Crimes Investigation Branch, 21 suspects were referred to the Istanbul Anatolian Courthouse.

21 SUSPECTS APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGE

Following the operation coordinated by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Special Investigation Bureau, the 21 suspects, whose procedures at the police station were completed, were brought to the Istanbul Anatolian Courthouse after undergoing health checks.

The investigation was launched following allegations of irregularities in construction and occupancy permit procedures at Üsküdar Municipality.

BALES OF CASH WERE LEAKED

Immediately after the operation on Üsküdar Municipality, images showing bales of cash, which were claimed to have been filmed at the municipality, were leaked to agencies and the press. While the images in question became a hot topic in a short time, they also brought political debates with them.

THE TRUTH EMERGED LATER

What the leaked images actually were emerged in the following minutes.

The lawyer for Zeki Kulaç, the owner of the money, shared all the details.

According to the information provided by lawyer Özgür Emrah Cerrahoğlu, that money was seized in the home of Burçin Çevik, who was detained in the operation. Zeki Kulaç, Burçin Çevik's fiancé, was also in the house during the search. That money was the payment for a cafe he had transferred the day before.

In other words, Kulaç had transferred the cafe he owned in Beyoğlu and had received the money in cash the day before.

Thus, it turned out that the money in the leaked images had nothing to do with Üsküdar Municipality.

WHAT HAPPENED?

On April 7, simultaneous operations were carried out at 30 addresses in Istanbul and Yalova regarding acts constituting bribery related to irregularities in the issuance of construction and occupancy permits at Üsküdar Municipality, and 21 suspects, including Kent AŞ General Manager N.A. and Üsküdar Deputy Mayor Filiz Deveci, were detained.

News Source: 12punto