Bahçetepe, accused of 'taking bribes,' lives in his aunt's apartment without an elevator
Bribery allegations against Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe, who was arrested as part of an investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, have become a major public issue. Contractor Aziz İhsan Aktaş, who was accused of being a 'gang leader' and released after benefiting from effective remorse, claimed he gave a $300,000 bribe to Bahçetepe. However, both the HTS (mobile phone) records for the date the incident allegedly took place and Bahçetepe's official schedule do not align with this claim.
12punto
It has emerged that Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe, who was accused by contractor Aziz İhsan Aktaş—a man who became a whistleblower and was released after being charged as a 'gang leader' in the operations targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB)—lives in an apartment without an elevator in the same district that belongs to his aunt.
According to a report by Ali Macit from Sözcü, Bahçetepe did not comment on this matter. Sözcü, which obtained images of the home, stated that he did not want the images to be published.
'HE WASN'T EVEN IN THE SAME PLACE'
Bahçetepe's lawyer, Hasan Şahin, stated that there were no base station records for Mayor Bahçetepe on November 14, 2024, the date it was claimed the bribe was delivered at the Grand Bazaar, and furthermore, that he was attending an official program with Istanbul Governor Davut Gül that day. Şahin announced that there were also inconsistencies between the HTS records and other alleged dates, and that these had been submitted to the relevant authorities with documentation.
LIVES IN HIS AUNT'S APARTMENT WITHOUT AN ELEVATOR
The place where Bahçetepe lives, who was alleged to be living in luxury, was surprising. According to the information obtained, Bahçetepe resides in a modest apartment building in the Bağlarbaşı neighborhood of Gaziosmanpaşa that belongs to his aunt, has no elevator, and has a crumbling exterior. While the old and simple structure of the five-story building drew attention, his aunt did not make a statement regarding the matter and did not want the images to be reflected in the press.
Another accusation directed at Bahçetepe concerns the excavation permit issued for a gas station by contractor Aktaş. However, documents reveal that these permits were prepared before Bahçetepe took office, during the term of the former AKP Mayor Hasan Tahsin Usta. Moreover, it is stated that a decision of "approval" was issued by the commissions where the AKP held the majority during the council meeting held on April 1, 2024.
'I HAVE NEITHER A HOUSE NOR A CAR'
Hakan Bahçetepe also disclosed his assets in response to the corruption accusations directed at him. Stating, "I do not have any real estate or a vehicle," Bahçetepe said he receives a monthly salary of 125,000 TL, has 300,000 TL in the bank, and 200,000 TL in private pension savings.
In his statement to the police, Bahçetepe made a notable claim regarding the term of his predecessor, Hasan Tahsin Usta. Stating that an Audi-brand vehicle belonging to the municipality and a staff member were allocated to the former mayor's wife, Bahçetepe alleged that this staff member was later dismissed and their severance pay was paid via a check through a municipal company.