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Here is the behind-the-scenes of the IMM operation... The real issue turned out to be 'Kanal Istanbul'

As a result of investigations conducted by the IMM, it was determined that the TOKİ project initiated in the Sazlıdere Dam basin along the Kanal Istanbul route violated the Water Basin Protection Regulation. İSKİ had sent a demolition notice, granting a deadline until May 25. Following these developments, a detention operation was carried out against IMM and İSKİ executives.

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Here is the behind-the-scenes of the IMM operation... The real issue turned out to be 'Kanal Istanbul'

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) and İSKİ teams have taken a significant step following their investigation into the TOKİ project launched in the Sazlıdere Dam basin. A demolition decision was made for the construction, which was determined to have been initiated in violation of the Water Basin Protection Regulation.
Here is the behind-the-scenes of the IMM operation... The real issue turned out to be 'Kanal Istanbul'

The Istanbul 5th Administrative Court had previously canceled the designation of the reserve area and the environmental plan changes regarding the Kanal İstanbul project on the grounds that no scientific and technical analyses had been conducted. Despite the court ruling and expert opinions, the government began construction in the Sazlıdere Dam basin under the guise of a "social housing project."
Here is the behind-the-scenes of the IMM operation... The real issue turned out to be 'Kanal Istanbul'

IMM Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu drew attention to the unfolding events, pointing to the danger of the expected major Istanbul earthquake. İmamoğlu stated, "By keeping Istanbul away from betrayal projects like Kanal İstanbul, we must quickly prepare for the Istanbul Earthquake and its consequences, which pose an existential problem for our state and nation."
Here is the behind-the-scenes of the IMM operation... The real issue turned out to be 'Kanal Istanbul'

DEMOLITION MOVE FROM İSKİ

According to the report by Ali Macit from Sözcü, İSKİ identified "illegal construction" regarding the TOKİ project rising on the Sazlıdere Dam, one of Istanbul's important drinking water sources.
Here is the behind-the-scenes of the IMM operation... The real issue turned out to be 'Kanal Istanbul'

In the notice sent to the construction site, İSKİ stated that the structures must be removed by May 25, 2025. Otherwise, it was noted that the demolition process would be carried out by İSKİ and the resulting demolition cost of 62 thousand TL/hour would be collected from TOKİ.
Here is the behind-the-scenes of the IMM operation... The real issue turned out to be 'Kanal Istanbul'

İSKİ Deputy General Manager Begüm Çelikdelen said, "This dam was 100 percent for drinking water purposes. They have reduced this to 0 percent. However, we are still drawing 40-50 thousand cubic meters of water from there daily and paying for it. The legal status of the basin has not changed. Therefore, we will treat this construction the same way we treat any citizen. We have made a demolition decision for the construction site."
Here is the behind-the-scenes of the IMM operation... The real issue turned out to be 'Kanal Istanbul'

REACTION FROM THE VILLAGE HEADMAN

Sazlıdere Village Headman Oktay Teke reacted to the double standards in the practices. Teke said, "According to the Basin Protection Regulation, even a small chicken coop built by a citizen is demolished, but now they are building 24 thousand residences right next to us. İSKİ issued a warning for this construction. Now we will see if the state will apply the rule it imposes on the citizen to this project as well."

Teke also noted that "the Governor's Office issued the 'EIA is not required' decision regarding this project just 10 days before the detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu." Villagers also stated that the construction machinery arrived exactly on the day of the operation against İmamoğlu.
Here is the behind-the-scenes of the IMM operation... The real issue turned out to be 'Kanal Istanbul'

OPERATION FOLLOWING İSKİ'S DEMOLITION NOTICE

Following İSKİ's issuance of the demolition notice to the construction site, 47 people, including IMM Deputy Secretary General Arif Gürkan Alpay, İSKİ General Manager Şafak Başa, and İSKİ Deputy General Manager Begüm Çelikdelen, were detained this morning.