Second wave of investigation into IMM... This time 'Eagle', 'Falcon', and 'Wind' emerge behind the operation

On Saturday morning, a second wave of a corruption operation was carried out targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM). 52 people were detained as part of the operation, which is based on the testimonies of three secret witnesses using the codenames "Eagle" ("Kartal"), "Falcon" ("Şahin"), and "Wind" ("Rüzgar"). During the interrogations at the police station, suspects were asked questions in line with the statements of these secret witnesses.

In his testimony to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the secret witness "Wind" targeted Deputy Head of Real Estate Management Fatih Özçelik. It is alleged that the witness, who said, "Fatih Özçelik follows expropriation matters. Fatih designs the irregularities to be committed," did not provide any concrete examples or evidence. Özçelik, who has been serving at the IMM since 2014, since the AKP era, denied the accusations in his statement and stated that he had no connection with the 33 companies mentioned.

THERE IS A TENDER ALLEGATION BUT NO PROOF

Kültür A.Ş. Advertising Chief Metin Bal was also asked questions regarding the testimony of the secret witness "Eagle". The witness claimed, "It was determined in meetings attended by Barış Kılıç, Metin Bal, Gökhan Köseoğlu, Murat Ongun, and other IMM bureaucrats which firm would be awarded the tenders." However, it was observed that these allegations were not supported by any concrete documents or events. In his statement, Bal also denied the accusations regarding the Digital Experience Center, stating that he had no connection with the unit in question.

It was observed that after the secret witnesses codenamed "Oak" ("Meşe"), "Larch" ("Ladin"), and "Plane" ("Çınar") who were involved in the first wave of the investigation, witnesses codenamed "Wind", "Eagle", and "Falcon" were added to the file this time.

''THE PERSON WHO THREATENED BECAME THE COMPLAINANT''

It was learned that proceedings were initiated against İSKİ General Manager Şafak Başa, who was among those detained, due to a complaint by İdris Özcelep. It was alleged that Özcelep frequently came to the IMM to exert pressure and made threats when he could not receive a favorable opinion for licensing procedures. Başa stated, "I am the general manager who has fought the most against illegal construction in the history of İSKİ. He threatened my colleagues by saying, 'If you don't handle my business, I will complain to the prosecutor's office.'"

MY FATHER-IN-LAW PASSED AWAY IN 2021

Among those detained was Onur Soytürk, former General Manager of İstanbul İmar İnşaat A.Ş. and CHP Zeytinburnu Mayoral candidate. Giving a statement regarding the bribery allegations, Soytürk said, "My father-in-law passed away in 2021. I do not have an active account with the bank about which allegations are being made. The allegations are baseless."

SECOND-HAND CAR INTERROGATION FOR IMAMOGLU'S CHIEF OF STAFF

IMM President Ekrem İmamoğlu's Chief of Staff Kadriye Kasapoğlu was also among those questioned. During the police interrogation, Kasapoğlu was asked why the former owner of the car she bought second-hand in December 2023, identified as Ö.Y., went abroad with the car in September 2022. Kasapoğlu said she did not know this person and was unaware of his departure abroad. In addition, her phone calls made due to her duties at the IMM were also questioned.