New wave in tender operation! Arif Gürkan Alpay's statement revealed

Arif Gürkan Alpay, Deputy Secretary General of the İBB, who was among those detained in the fourth wave of the operation, gave his statement yesterday at the Financial Crimes Investigation Branch. Alpay was accused of "establishing, managing, or being a member of an organization for the purpose of committing a crime," "bribery," "tender rigging," "rigging the performance of an obligation," "extortion," and "qualified fraud."

"I DID NOT KNOW THESE INDIVIDUALS AT THE TIME OF THE CELL TOWER DATA"

When asked about the allegations by witness Ogün Kuzu that "the Kirazlı-Halkalı metro station tender would be organized irregularly," Alpay stated that he had no knowledge of or involvement in the tender.

When asked about allegations regarding the 2022 road construction tender for the third and fourth regions on the European side, Alpay stated that the goal in the municipality was to conduct transparent and competitive tenders, and that all personnel were instructed by public administrators to comply with tender procedures, principles, and all conditions stipulated by law. Alpay stated, "They manage the tender processes within the framework of these laws and procedures. I have no doubt about this. However, the office of the Deputy Secretary General has no direct or indirect involvement in the technical operation of these processes. The fact that my name is not in the expert report confirms this. As for my response to the merits, as can be understood from the expert report, no irregularity could be detected directly in any tender. My colleagues will provide the necessary technical answers regarding their own areas of expertise."

When asked about his phone calls and shared cell tower data with Engin Öndaş, Faruk Öndaş, and Serbülend Danış, Alpay said, "The cell tower data shown is for the İBB Bakırköy Additional Service Building. It is the building where I worked at those times. These individuals may have come to the municipality during those dates. It is uncertain whether I met with these individuals. This building is also where the municipality's tenders are held. At the same time, it is a very large service building that houses many units of the municipality. Furthermore, I did not know these individuals at the time of the cell tower data."

"I WAS DEPRIVED OF MY FREEDOM"

İBB Deputy Secretary General Arif Gürkan Alpay stated in his testimony that he has worked in public institutions for many years and noted the following:

"The position I currently hold is very valuable to me. It is an honor for me to serve my country at this level. I have reached the position I am in today through hard work, sweat, and most importantly, thanks to my integrity, which is my greatest asset. I have been deprived of my freedom for another 4 days, having been detained for the second time in the morning in front of my family, accused of things I was not involved in. I have been faced with baseless accusations that are outside my authority. I absolutely do not accept the accusations."

Alpay's lawyer, Kemal Kumkumoğlu, also said, "Despite being in a position where he could have come and given a statement if invited, and despite currently being under judicial control, he was detained again based on vague accusations that rely on no concrete evidence. There is no doubt that the situation we are in has gone beyond ill-treatment and reached the level of torture for my client. Any statements taken under these conditions, where the client is forced to testify under such accusations and poor conditions, are being obtained through prohibited methods. There is no concrete allegation in the events directed at the client within the framework of this testimony. It is already understood from the details of these events that the client has no duty or authority regarding them."

News Source: 12punto