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Mehmet Şimşek responds to 'photo' controversy: 'Claims are irrational and untrue'

Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek has responded to a report in Sözcü newspaper regarding a photograph of him with an individual linked to a criminal organization. In his statement, Şimşek said, 'It is irrational to suggest I have a connection with someone I saw for the first time in my life.'

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Sözcü newspaper featured a photograph on its front page, stating it was taken in London, which included Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek.

The report alleged that one of the individuals in the same frame as Şimşek was Gürkan Dölekli, a partner of Aziz İhsan Aktaş, who is accused of being a criminal organization leader in the municipal operations in Istanbul. The same photo also included Selman Reşitoğlu, the boss of the Ek-Pet company, which has been in the spotlight due to multi-billion lira road tenders.

''THIS IS AN ATTACK''

Minister Şimşek described the report as an attack in a statement on his social media account. Stating that "they are trying to target the economic program we are currently implementing with a single frame from a period when I was not a minister," Şimşek noted that he does not know the people in the photograph in question.

"PEOPLE I SAW FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE"

Evaluating the photo, which was taken during a visit in London with a fellow citizen from Batman, Şimşek said, "It is impossible for me to know the past and future of people I saw for the first time in my life."