First statement from CHP after operation on ABB: Notable Melih Gökçek detail! 'If I were the prosecutors, I would be ashamed'

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into allegations that public funds were misused during concerts held by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality between 2021 and 2024. Within the scope of the investigation, 13 people were detained on charges of "misconduct in office" and "rigging a tender."

In a statement from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was noted that according to reports from the Ministry of Interior's Civil Inspection Board, MASAK, the Court of Accounts, and expert witnesses, the municipality incurred a loss of over 154 million TL in 32 concert service procurement contracts. Those detained include the municipality's former heads of the Department of Culture and Social Affairs and owners of various event management companies.

REACTION FROM CHP: 'INFORMATION WAS LEAKED IN ADVANCE'

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır reacted to the timing of the investigation and the fact that Melih Gökçek announced the news of the investigation in advance. Başarır said, "At 2 AM, Melih Gökçek gives the news of the investigation. He gives it 7 hours early, without shame or embarrassment. If I were the prosecutors, I would be ashamed."

Speaking on Halk TV, Başarır's statements are as follows:

"The government has made a plan within a framework. They are in a state of trying to seize control and usurp the will of the people through an investigation and perception operation against our elected mayors. We have known this for a long time.

Once again, this is no longer finding resonance in this society. This has no benefit to them either; it only causes harm. That is clear. Two. They have been obsessed with concerts for a long time. They say two things, look. Concerts, statues. One. Today, millions of our citizens living in this country cannot afford to go anywhere and listen to music with their own money. The artists we hold these concerts with are also chosen in line with the public's wishes and surveys, and hundreds of thousands of people enjoy themselves for at least 4 hours. And these are Turkey's most distinguished, most well-known artists who pay their taxes and rank in tax lists. Now look, one, they are casting aspersions on those artists and everyone else within the scope of a perception of investigation. It is so clear.

The money they receive is clear, and the taxes they declare are clear. The money an artist receives in Ankara, that is, from a CHP-run municipality, is the same as what that artist receives from another AK Party or MHP-run municipality.

This is entirely a dirty perception. But let's come to an important point. At 2 AM, Melih Gökçek, who managed Ankara for 20 years, who divided and distributed Ankara parcel by parcel, and who does not answer for all kinds of dirty allegations, gives the news of the investigation.

He gives it 7 hours early, without shame or embarrassment... we are learning about the investigation conducted at the Ankara Municipality from this man, from this, what should I say, I cannot even assign a title. From this tweet. Is this something that should happen? There are so many Court of Accounts reports, so many inspector reports, so many complaints. Leaving everything aside. Well, there is the clear statement of Bülent Arınç, who served as Speaker of the Parliament, regarding this. Well, is there a single investigation? Is there any investigation regarding any employee or a security guard?"