Breaking News: Muhittin Böcek gives new testimony

A new development has occurred in the investigation conducted by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding allegations of corruption within the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality.

Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek, who is currently detained as part of the investigation, has provided new and comprehensive testimony.

According to İHA, Muhittin Böcek alleged that he made payments of 1 million 950 thousand Euros, 200 thousand dollars, and 15 million TL during the election period at the request of Özgür Özel.

The testimony dated June 4, which Böcek, who had previously applied for effective remorse, gave today in the presence of his lawyer Mustafa Yalçınkaya, is as follows:

"I EXPLAINED MY VOTE POTENTIAL IN ANTALYA AND MENTIONED THAT MY CHANCES OF WINNING WERE HIGH"

"I was a mayoral candidate in the 2024 local elections. The Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate determination process works as follows: First, it is presented to the Party Assembly (PM) for approval as a mayoral candidate upon the recommendation of the Central Executive Board (MYK). Then, if the PM gives approval on the same day, the candidacy is finalized. However, in my candidacy process, although the MYK made a recommendation, the recommendation was withdrawn without a vote in the PM. In this way, my candidacy was put on hold. Although almost all mayoral candidates in the party were announced, my candidacy was not announced for about 20 days.

During this process, I met with Özgür Özel at the old headquarters together with Antalya deputies Mustafa Erdem and Cavit Arı. We evaluated the polls together. I explained to him the general situation in Antalya and my vote potential. I mentioned that my chances of winning were high. No money was mentioned here.

Before my candidacy was announced, as I recall, I attended a meeting in the 2024 local elections where incumbent mayors who were candidates and all candidate nominees were present. This meeting was held at the headquarters under the chairmanship of Özgür Özel. General Chairman Özgür Özel said to all mayoral candidates, including me, 'The headquarters may have financial and moral demands from you for the election period; please assist in these matters.' After this meeting took place, I told my son, Mustafa Gökhan Böcek, that the party might have such demands in the future and that he should do what is necessary when such a request comes.

Again, during my candidacy process, I went to Ankara on January 9-10, 2024, to hold various meetings. My official security detail also accompanied me on this visit. During my stay in Ankara, I stayed at the JW Marriott hotel, which is very close to the headquarters. During this process, I had face-to-face or telephone conversations with many deputies and executives of the party. Since these were the most critical periods of the candidacy process, there was so much traffic in meetings.

"MY SON WENT TO THE HEADQUARTERS TO DELIVER 1 MILLION EUROS UPON ÖZEL'S INSTRUCTION AND A CALL FROM AĞABABA"

My son, Mustafa Gökhan Böcek, also came to Ankara from Antalya to join me on 10/01/2024, in the evening hours as I recall. We had a meeting at the hotel, but he did not stay at this hotel. He went to the Sheraton hotel, also located in Ankara. He came back to the hotel where I was staying in the morning. We met again. In accordance with the instruction Özgür Özel had previously given for the candidacy, I directed him again here regarding the provision of the necessary financial support. My son went to the Headquarters building during the day to deliver 1 million Euros upon the instruction of Özgür Özel and as a result of a call from Veli Ağababa. I do not know to whom he delivered the money, but my son had mentioned this issue in his previous testimony.

Similarly, before my candidacy was announced, I went on 15/01/2024, with the guidance of Özgür Özel. Since my candidacy had not yet been announced, I went to Manisa thinking that it would contribute to my candidacy because it is Özgür Özel's hometown and he is the General Chairman. After the meeting in Ankara I mentioned above, Özgür Özel had specifically instructed me to provide financial and project support to Ferdi Zeyrek. Upon this, I took approximately 950,000 Euros in a bag with me while going to Manisa. It is impossible for others to notice this bag because there were many documents and bags within the scope of the project presentation.

"I DO NOT KNOW HOW MR. FERDİ USED IT"

We went to Manisa in a lead-and-follow formation with my official vehicle, a black Audi A8 L model with license plate 07 ABB 008, and a black Skoda model vehicle whose license plate I do not remember. We went to Manisa with my official driver Aydın Günaydın, my chief of staff Yasin YELLİCE, my chief advisor Cem OĞUZ, my security officer Duran KUZUCU, and photographer Serdar YAVUZ. As I recall, we arrived in Manisa towards noon. Here, we first met at a place I thought was Ferdi Zeyrek's office. Regional deputies were there. Also, a person named Demirhan GÖZAÇAN, whom I previously knew as Özgür Özel's advisor, was there.

A social project presentation was made here. I also stayed alone with Ferdi Zeyrek for a short time. During this time, I placed the bag containing approximately 950,000 Euros next to his desk. I said to him, 'I brought the bag for you, let us have our contributions during the election process.' I did this based on Özgür Özel's instruction to me in Ankara to provide support to Ferdi ZEYREK, as I mentioned above. I do not know how Mr. Ferdi used this money. I did this because I thought it might contribute to my candidacy, given that Mr. Özgür is from Manisa and his closeness to the late Ferdi Bey. After the meeting at the office, we all went to dinner together. We left Manisa towards the evening. As I said, only the late Ferdi Zeyrek was there when I gave the money.

"I AUTHORIZED MY SON, APPROXIMATELY 15 MILLION TL WAS SPENT"

My CHP Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Candidacy was announced at the end of January. In the ongoing process, I sent money to various places to be used in election campaigns upon the instructions of the headquarters and Özgür Özel. First of all, I would like to state that in previous elections, a portion of the candidates' election expenses was covered by the CHP headquarters. However, for the first time, we did not receive any support from the headquarters. On the contrary, I was asked to provide financial aid to other places as well. In this context, I covered all election expenses of the Konyaaltı Mayoral candidate. I authorized my son, Mustafa Gökhan Böcek, on this matter. According to my son's previous statement, approximately 15 million TL was spent. In addition, we provided vehicle, vehicle wrapping, and fuel assistance to districts with few vehicles, such as Bucak, Akseki, İbradı, and Korkuteli. I do not know how much this cost even now. Again, my son Gökhan Böcek carried out these expenses upon my instruction.

"200,000 DOLLARS WERE GIVEN TO ÖZGÜR ÖZEL"

On 24/02/2024, a launch was held at the Antalya Glass Pyramid, which General Chairman Özgür Özel attended. As stated in my son Gökhan Böcek's testimony, 200,000 Dollars were given to Özgür Özel here as well. This event took place upon the instruction of Özgür Özel and after Veli Ağababa called my son. Since my son handled the election expenses, I did not deal with them personally. I only gave a general instruction to my son.

The money used for candidacy fees and election expenses was covered by volunteers, party members, and my supporters, as is the case in all other political parties. Since time has passed and it was a busy period, it is not possible for me to remember all of these people.

HE REQUESTED HIS RELEASE

I have sincerely explained everything that happened regarding my candidacy process in the presence of my lawyer. I have been detained for about 11 months. My health problems are increasing. I request that these issues be taken into consideration and that I be released."