Money-counting investigation in CHP: Testimony of Ali Rıza Braka, who allegedly sold the building, has emerged

The investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the money-counting footage allegedly filmed at the CHP Istanbul Provincial Headquarters and shared on social media continues.

As part of the investigation, Ali Rıza Braka, who allegedly sold his building in Istanbul to the CHP, gave his statement as a suspect yesterday (March 18).

The testimony of Braka, who gave his statement as a suspect at the Çağlayan Courthouse Press Crimes Investigation Bureau, has emerged.

According to the report by İsmail Saymaz from Sözcü; Ali Rıza Braka, who is of Albanian descent and later became a citizen, stated that he bought 14 properties from Emlak Konut in 2018 and decided to sell them.

Explaining that CHP members reached out to him a year later, Braka stated that he asked for 43 million TL and did not sell the building because the CHP members offered a lower price.

Stating that the CHP members contacted him again through his lawyer Gökhan Taşkapan and that a meeting was arranged at the Sarıyer Municipality, Braka said, "We gathered in the mayor's office. Negotiations were held, but we could not reach a result."

Explaining that Taşkapan and the CHP members were in contact, Ali Rıza Braka used the expressions, "One day, my lawyer called and said that the other party agreed to pay 41 million TL."

Emphasizing that Provincial Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu managed the process on behalf of the CHP, Braka continues as follows:

"I DID NOT THINK THERE WAS ANY HARM"

"We signed a 'Sales Promise Agreement in Regulation Form' at the Beyoğlu 3rd Notary Public on November 6, 2019. As can be seen in the contract, we officially showed the price as 24 million 360 thousand TL. I did not think there was any harm in it."

He states that the CHP members sent 6 million TL on the same day and 8 million TL via bank transfer on November 18, 2019. Emphasizing that Taşkapan called him on December 9, 2019, invited him to the office, and said, 'A portion of the money will be delivered in cash,' he says the following:

"My lawyer and 4-5 people I knew were in the office. A portion of the money was there. People from outside were bringing money in bags, and I was counting it. It was all in TL. There were no Euros or dollars. That day, I took 15 million 510 thousand TL in 4-5 bags and left the office."

Noting that 360 thousand TL and another 10 million TL were transferred from the CHP on December 11, when he transferred the title deed, Braka continued;

"Even though I sold the properties for 41 million TL, the money I received was 24 million 360 thousand TL and 15 million 510 thousand TL that I received in cash, totaling 39 million 870 thousand TL. They said the remaining amount was for commission and expenses, and they did not give it. I have never had any illegal business. I bought the apartments for investment purposes and sold them profitably a year later. I have nothing to do with any political party. I don't even vote."