Jet-speed loan for Özlem Çerçioğlu: It's a 'trade secret'
Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu received a loan of 860 million liras from Iller Bank shortly after joining the AKP. Iller Bank General Manager Recep Türk responded to the criticism following the loan by calling it a "trade secret."
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Former CHP Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and deputy Özlem Çerçioğlu received an 860 million lira loan from Iller Bank immediately after switching from her party to the AKP. This situation caused a major stir on social media, and the loan agreement, secured after her move to the AKP, drew significant attention.
A photograph of Çerçioğlu signing the loan agreement with Iller Bank İzmir Regional Manager İzzet Günal was also shared with the public. However, the criticism that followed the loan agreement became even more prominent following the statements of Iller Bank General Manager Recep Türk.
Iller Bank General Manager Recep Türk made statements regarding the loan process in an interview with Çiğdem Toker from T24. Türk responded to the criticism appearing in the media and on social media—that 'it is noteworthy that Özlem Çerçioğlu received a loan immediately after joining the AKP'—by calling it a 'trade secret'.
Commenting on the photograph taken during the loan agreement, Türk stated that the photo was taken at the request of the regional manager. He emphasized that the reason for sharing the signing photo with the public was due to the bank's internal procedures.
Recep Türk announced that Özlem Çerçioğlu's loan application was made on August 6, one week before her transition to the AKP. Türk clarified this historical fact for the public and stated that it was incorrect to associate the loan solely with her political transition.
Türk alsoemphasized that there was no discrimination in the granting of the loan. He stated that the portion of the 200 million Euro financing package obtained from the Council of Europe Development Bank allocated to Aydın was provided through this loan.Henoted that all municipalities, excluding those in Muğla, benefited from this financing, in addition to the Aydın Metropolitan Municipality.Iller Bank GeneralManagerRecep Türkstated that the loans were not given only to Aydın and that many CHP-run municipalities also received financial support.Hereiterated this point.
Iller Bank GeneralManager Recep Türkexpressed that the loanswere not provided solely to Aydın, and that manyCHP-run municipalities also received financial support.