İmamoğlu files criminal complaint against 'expert witness'

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has filed a criminal complaint against S.B., a retired accountant who is frequently appointed as an expert witness and whose report led to an investigation against him. İmamoğlu stated that S.B. lacked the competence to prepare the expert report, noting that he did not possess "auditor" expertise or an "independent auditor certificate." İmamoğlu's lawyers applied to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, filing a criminal complaint against S.B. for "Misconduct in Office," "Providing False Expert Testimony," and "Attempting to Influence a Fair Trial."

In a press conference held on January 27, İBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu publicly disclosed the irregular actions of S.B., who is consistently appointed as an expert witness in investigations conducted against the İBB, himself, and CHP-run municipalities. Following these statements by İmamoğlu, an investigation was swiftly launched against him, and İmamoğlu gave a 2-hour statement to a terrorism prosecutor. Subsequently, after a phone conversation with S.B. was broadcast on Halk TV, Halk TV Editor-in-Chief Suat Toktaş was arrested.

CRIMINAL COMPLAINT FROM İMAMOĞLU

In the criminal complaint filed by İmamoğlu, it was emphasized that S.B. acted in violation of the "Expert Witness Law" and lacked the competence to prepare the report. It was stated that the report, which includes an audit of the entire process of the tenders from start to finish, could only be prepared by an expert with "auditor" competence. However, S.B. did not possess "auditor" expertise and was not registered with any professional chamber. Furthermore, according to the criteria set by the Ministry of Justice, it was determined that S.B. was not registered in the "Official Registry of Independent Auditors."

VIOLATION OF EXPERT WITNESS REGULATION DETECTED

According to the Expert Witness Regulation, it is stated that if an expert witness does not have sufficient expertise and experience in the subject for which they are appointed, they must notify the competent authority. However, S.B. did not fulfill this obligation. İmamoğlu's lawyers stated, "Despite the regulations in the legislation, S.B. prepared a report claiming that his client, who has no spending or tender authority, possessed such authority, and committed a crime by alleging that a transfer of authority had taken place, even though the transfer of a non-existent authority is impossible."

CRIMINAL COMPLAINT ALSO FROM IETT OFFICIAL

Taşkın Ilıca, Head of the Purchasing Department of Istanbul Electric Tram and Tunnel (IETT), also filed a criminal complaint against S.B., who served as an expert witness in the investigation regarding allegations of non-compliance with the Public Procurement Law against IETT. Ilıca pointed out that S.B. did not have the "43.06" coded "Audit" expertise, stating that the expert witness made a series of false assessments and legal characterizations. Furthermore, the IETT official stated that S.B. evaluated some signed documents as unsigned and exceeded the scope of his duties.

Following the criminal complaints filed by İmamoğlu and Ilıca, the investigation to be conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding S.B. is expected to become clearer in the coming days.