Allegation that an investigation has been opened into Rector Prof. Dr. Osman Bülent Zülfikar, who cancelled İmamoğlu's diploma: Public loss

It has been alleged that the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) has launched an investigation into Istanbul University Rector Prof. Dr. Osman Bülent Zülfikar, who cancelled the diploma of IMM Mayor İmamoğlu. 

The allegation in question was reported by pro-government columnist Fuat Uğur. In the report published on TV100, questions arising from the investigation launched into irregularities and unlawful acts covering financial and administrative affairs were sent in itemized form to Rector Zülfikar and his chief of staff, Yüceyaltırık, for their response.

Accordingly, YÖK Supervisory Board Member Prof. Dr. Tarık Yarılgaç requested that both individuals provide explanations and the information and documents supporting these explanations regarding the 10-item investigation within 15 days.

The allegations against Zülfikar were listed in the report as follows:

"1. Service vehicle 34 GIC 581 from the catering tender is being used by the Rector and his chief of staff, Yusuf Yüceyaltırık, for private business.

2. The meals for the Rector's private guests and programs are being covered by the Department of Health, Culture and Sports (SKS).

3. Menu changes and personnel changes are being made without administrative approval, creating a public loss.

4. Payments are being made to the company for more meal cards than are actually used (for Rectorate expenses), creating a public loss.

5- Materials and fixtures taken for the Dr. Safiye Ali Dormitory, primarily bed bases, were removed from the inventory and discarded instead of being stored, despite being in perfect condition and only a few years old.

6- Although the Social Facilities Board of Directors decided to hire personnel through service procurement, he caused a public loss by irregularly hiring Bülent Saygılı, an acquaintance of his and a former social facilities worker who had been fired and paid his severance, onto the social facilities staff.

7- He had the Oncology Institute Board of Directors make an irregular decision to allow the collection of executive shares as is done in hospitals (in order to receive higher pay).

8- Despite austerity measures and the existence of our own sound system, sound and stage equipment was rented from an Ankara-based firm through SKS at prices above market rates.

9- An exorbitant payment of 3 million was made to the same Ankara firm for the management and maintenance of social media accounts, which we have been doing ourselves for years with our own IT and personnel.

10- Due to irregular appointments, failure to comply with court decisions, and abuse of office, the institution faces serious compensation payments, which will result in public loss."