He was arrested as part of the IMM operations… Striking claims from Murat Ongun: Are businesspeople being pressured?

Murat Ongun, Chairman of the Board of IMM Medya AŞ, who was arrested along with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu as part of the comprehensive operation carried out against the IMM on March 19, has made striking statements from prison regarding the ongoing investigation process.

Responding to questions from Sözcü newspaper's Ali Macit, Ongun emphasized that the accusations against him are based on witness testimonies and that there is no concrete evidence in the MASAK reports or the case file. Stating that secret witness statements were decisive in the investigation, Ongun also shared a new claim with the public.

''THEY ARE BEING FORCED TO SLANDER''

Ongun said they have received information that some business people whose assets have been seized are being pressured to slander Ekrem İmamoğlu and his close circle. Stating that these individuals are being directed under the effective remorse law, Ongun said, "We are hearing claims that business people whose companies, accounts, and assets have been seized are being forced to slander us."

"I hope no one resorts to this path to protect their years of savings and property. I hope these claims are just claims. No good comes from slander. Not today, and not tomorrow."

''AN INVESTIGATION LIKE A JOKE''

Drawing attention to the lack of seriousness in the accusations directed at him in the investigation, Ongun said, "If universal legal experts saw the allegations and questions directed at me, they would laugh out loud. They would either think it's a joke or cry at the state to which the law has been reduced."

Stating that inspectors have been "camping out" at the IMM since they took office in 2019, Ongun expressed that all business and transactions, including those of subsidiary companies, were meticulously examined, but no irregularities could be detected.

''WE ARE TARGETED BECAUSE İMAMOĞLU IS PREPARING FOR THE PRESIDENCY''

Suggesting that there is a political motivation behind the investigations, Ongun assessed, "The real reason for what is happening is being a colleague of the next Presidential Candidate and the future President."

RESPONSE TO RENT ALLEGATIONS

Clarifying the allegations that he "paid rent above his income," which caused controversy in the public eye, Ongun said that although he had the right to stay in IMM housing in 2019, he did not use that right due to Ekrem İmamoğlu's warning, "This place is for civil servants, do not request it." Explaining that İmamoğlu provided him with financial support after this process, Ongun stated that he was sharing this information for the first time and with İmamoğlu's approval.

''WE ARE PART OF A POLITICAL RECKONING''

In his statement from prison, Ongun stated that the current investigation is not a legal one but part of a political reckoning, and also reminded that some of the people who testified are members of the ruling party or individuals who have personal grudges against the IMM.

IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu also stated in a recent statement from prison that when no evidence could be found in the file, people were forced to become secret witnesses or perjurers.