Bribery accusation against İmamoğlu: 'He expressed a negative opinion'

The indictment against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) states that Ekrem İmamoğlu is being accused of bribery despite having expressed a negative opinion during the eviction process of a plot of land in Başakşehir. The eviction case, which began in 2019 and concluded in favor of the İBB in 2024, had resulted against the landowner, Nureddin Şimşek.

The indictment alleges that Şimşek contacted former CHP MP Turan Aydoğan through Hüseyin Aydın, and that Aydoğan received $200,000 with the promise of 'handling the matter.' However, there is no evidence that İmamoğlu received any money during this process.

Although KİPTAŞ General Manager Ali Kurt was at the head of the institution carrying out the eviction procedures, his statements such as 'We stopped the looting' were included in the indictment, and he was accused of bribery. Kurt's role in this process occupies a significant place in the indictment.

A penalty was also requested for Fatih Keleş on the grounds that he was an organization leader. Although Keleş's name was not mentioned in the accusations, his punishment was requested due to this allegation. Similarly, a penalty was requested for Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, despite a company executive stating, 'He did not ask me for a bribe.'