Melih Gökçek makes first statement after giving testimony

An ex officio investigation was launched into allegations that "off-the-books money was transferred to companies abroad" by Gökçek.

In a statement from the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated: "An ex officio investigation has been launched by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in order to reveal the material truth regarding the allegations put forward in some press and media outlets that off-the-books money was transferred to companies abroad by İbrahim Melih Gökçek."

ARRIVED AT THE COURTHOUSE TO GIVE TESTIMONY

Melih Gökçek arrived at the courthouse today to give testimony as part of the investigation. The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had summoned Gökçek to testify as a "suspect" on Friday, September 4, at 16:00.

HIS "CHEWING GUM" DREW ATTENTION

It drew attention that Gökçek, who encountered an army of journalists, arrived at the courthouse "chewing gum." Melih Gökçek, who was to testify as a "suspect," left journalists' questions regarding Bülent Arınç unanswered upon entering the Ankara Courthouse.

STATEMENT FROM MELIH GÖKÇEK AFTER TESTIFYING

Making a statement to journalists after his two-hour testimony, Gökçek said the following:

“I gave my testimony for about 2 hours and came out. Now you will all ask questions like, ‘What did you say, what did you tell them, what did they ask?’ Let me say this in advance: I gave my testimony to the prosecutor's office here. As you know, this testimony is confidential. Therefore, do not expect anything from me in the style of ‘I said this, I said that.’

God willing, if it is destined, the research conducted by this prosecutor will end. After that, we will get the result. After that, don't worry, we will talk plenty on all of your television channels. Melih Gökçek, as you know, is not a man who does not talk. Nor is he a man who is timid. You all know that I persistently invite my rivals to the screen and cannot get them to face me. I am not naming names, but you understand who it is, so that there is no new controversy...

I will give you some information, friends. This is not the first time in my life that I am giving testimony, this is not the first time I am coming to the prosecutor's office, this is not the first time I am undergoing an investigation. I will explain this in three parts.

I was first elected mayor in '94. From '94 onwards, I served as mayor in the opposition for about nine years. The opposition scrutinized me thoroughly. I underwent exactly 500 investigations and inquiries, and I gave testimony in all of them. Can you imagine? They asked me everything, there was nothing they didn't ask. There is a famous saying: ‘If the locust is caught for the third time...’ But this time I jumped over all of them. I received non-prosecution decisions without exception. They couldn't catch me. Did they take me into custody? They did...

In the second period, did you undergo an investigation or inquiry only during the Welfare Party-AK Party government period?

I cannot give the exact number, I haven't counted, but I underwent a minimum of 100 investigations and inquiries during the AK Party government and the Welfare Party government. The testimonies I gave are all kept at the prosecutor's offices and the Ministry of Interior, you should know this. This is the second period.

The third period, the Mansur Yavaş period. First of all, let me say this in advance: They persistently say that ‘100 investigations have been opened against Melih Gökçek.’ Sometimes they drop to 96, 90, etc. No such investigation has been opened against me. It is a lie.

I have undergone a total of 25 inquiries and investigations. 21 of these have ended, and the results of four of them have not reached me. Some of the investigations are at the Ministry of Interior, and some are at the prosecutor's offices. And while this investigation was being conducted, expert reports were taken, my testimony was taken. He lied by saying ‘Mansur Yavaş didn't even go to give testimony.’

How many times have I invited Mansur to the screen. Have you seen him come? He hasn't come at least 100 times. Why?

If you are right, why don't you come? Come, let's debate. Actually, look here kids, let me say this: Do you know who the greatest referee is? The citizen. That is, when you put us on the screen, when they listen to us, they... That is, who is afraid of appearing on the screen? A person who is not in the right is afraid, you should know this.

During the Mansur Yavaş period, 21 investigations were completed. Mansur Yavaş objected to all of these investigations that were completed at the prosecutor's offices and the Ministry of Interior, in fact, all of them. They objected to the higher court. It was approved in my favor in the higher court and in the Council of State as well.

There is no subject on which I have not given testimony, friends. I gave it for all of them. Now, God willing, the decision for this place will come out in the coming days. I am also waiting with curiosity. I have no concerns on my own behalf regarding justice. Why don't I have concerns? I am a person who tells the truth. God willing, after the decision comes out...

I will appear on all of your television channels plenty. Do not have any worries. Has it ever happened that Melih Gökçek was afraid of television channels or debating in his life? Have you ever heard or seen it? With God's permission, I will appear again now.

I do not want to drag the subject to another side or debate by including another issue here.

I hope this nonsense ends. I will make all kinds of defenses and statements on all of your television channels regarding every subject, every kind of decision... Oh, I will go out and make all kinds of defenses and statements.”