IMM fights back against lies! Claims addressed in 4 points: 'A blow to democracy!'

A new statement has been issued by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Press Consultancy regarding the allegations made following the detention of IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

In the statement, allegations regarding certain concerts organized by the municipality, the claim that the personal data of Istanbul residents was sold, the claim that İmamoğlu's personal assets increased during his tenure, and the claim that off-the-books money transfers were made from İSKİ bank accounts were all refuted.

The statement issued by the IMM Press Consultancy is as follows:

"A BLOW TO DEMOCRACY

LIES AND FACTS 2

THE IMAGINARY CONCERT LIE

LIE: The lie that 1,388 imaginary concerts were organized during the pandemic period, that IMM Kültür A.Ş. issued fake invoices, and that millions of liras were stolen from the IMM treasury in this way.

FACT: Within the scope of the 'Istanbul is a Stage' project, which was implemented to support artists during the pandemic process, concerts were organized in 3 separate categories under the headings of Digital Stage, Physical Stage, and Sahnem Istanbul. In this context, support was provided to a total of 5,535 artists. The progress payment videos and photographs of all events have been archived; detailed information regarding these concerts was presented to the public in the 2020-2021 Activity Reports of IMM Kültür A.Ş.

CLAIM THAT PERSONAL DATA WAS SHARED

LIE: The lie that the personal data of 16 million people registered to the 'Istanbul Senin' application belonging to the IMM was sold to advertising and marketing companies.

FACT: 'Istanbul Senin' is an application launched in 2022 where Istanbul residents register by entering their name, surname, and Turkish ID number, and where every need is met. User information in the application is opened for use after being verified through the Ministry of Interior's Population and Citizenship Affairs integration. Currently, the number of users is not 16 million, but 3.5 million. In accordance with the Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK), an information text is presented to all users during the membership stage and their explicit consent is obtained. Personal data processed in accordance with the law is used only by the IMM for notifications made for the purpose of informing about public services provided by the IMM and its subsidiaries. It is strictly impossible for it to be sold to advertising companies or shared with other third parties outside of the provisions of the KVKK and the explicit consent of the users.

CLAIM THAT PERSONAL ASSETS INCREASED

LIE: IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's personal assets increased during his tenure.

FACT: According to the 2019 and 2024 asset declarations of Union of Municipalities of Türkiye and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and his wife Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, the breakdown of movable and immovable properties registered to them has been shared with the public from open sources.

İSKİ'S LEGAL PROGRESS PAYMENT

LIE: The lie that it was determined that a total of approximately 215 Million TL in off-the-books money transfers were made from the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (İSKİ) General Directorate bank accounts between 2020-2024.

FACT: No work was given to the mentioned company during the Ekrem İmamoğlu period. The payments made are progress payments related to work from the AK Party period. And all of them are legal. İSKİ is a public institution. It is subject to regular audits by the Court of Accounts. The necessary documents have been submitted to the civil inspectors.

Just as we will continue to share the facts against these lies, the necessary legal proceedings have been initiated against those who spread false news."