IMM shares 'lies and truths': Explained point by point

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) has responded to allegations regarding the institution in a statement titled "lies and truths."

The statement, which noted that "the purpose of these allegations is to manipulate public opinion and to smear the IMM and its elected Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu through political lynching campaigns," further stated: "While those making the allegations are obligated to prove their accusations, they are dumping lies onto the public in a lawless and irresponsible manner without any legal process being initiated."

The statement reported that the claim that "10 million dollars in bribe money was smuggled to Greece via a funeral vehicle" was later repeated as "the money was first taken to the border by a funeral vehicle and then transferred to Greece via another method," and added the following:

"These two different claims on the same subject were voiced by different names and channels managed by a single center, but these circles soon contradicted each other. While the first claimed that the money was smuggled directly to Greece by a funeral vehicle, the second claimed it was taken out of the country at the border using another method. In light of all these facts, we will continue to defend the truth with documents, consistency, and reason against this dark disinformation every time."

According to the statement, the allegations and IMM's responses to them are as follows:

Lie 1: A 10 million dollar bribe was requested for a renovation permit on the Bosphorus.

Truth 1: Contrary to the allegations, in the process regarding the villa in Vaniköy, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality intervened in the illegal construction activities, sealed the structure, and subsequently ensured the demolition of the illegal building in cooperation with the relevant institutions.

Lie 2: 10 million dollars was smuggled to Greece via a funeral vehicle.

Truth 2: The IMM Cemetery Department provides funeral transport services to all 81 provinces and all districts of Turkey, but it does not transport funerals abroad. International funeral transfers are carried out only through specially authorized airline companies with the approval of the Ministry of Health and in accordance with international procedures. IMM funeral transport vehicles only enter and exit airports for the arrival and departure of international funerals. A funeral vehicle crossing the border, especially carrying cash, is both contrary to the IMM system and national security, and is practically impossible. Furthermore, cash transfers to an EU member country cannot be made so easily; the international financial system and border security do not allow such movements. On the other hand, all funeral transport vehicles belonging to the IMM are monitored instantly via a GPRS system, and it is not possible for any funeral vehicle to leave the Istanbul provincial borders without official duty approval. On the other hand, although very rare, provided that duty approval is obtained, funeral delivery is made to Turkey's border gates for some foreign national funerals, and these funerals are delivered to the relevant authorities without passing through customs. However, no duty approval was given for the Ipsala and Pazarkule border gates, which are the borders for travel to Greece, on the dates subject to the allegation, and no funeral delivery was found in the examination made via the GPRS (vehicle tracking system). No movement of any vehicle to the mentioned border gates was detected on those dates.

Lie: 560 billion TL corruption was committed at IMM

Truth: Those who make this claim are not even aware of the IMM's realized budget. With a realized budget of 497 billion liras over the last 6 years, the IMM provides many services to Istanbul, from water to transportation, from subways to infrastructure investments, and also pays the salaries of its 95 thousand employees.

Here is the real picture year by year:

IMM BUDGET REALIZATIONS

2019: 21.4 billion liras

2020: 21.6 billion liras

2021: 28.4 billion liras

2022: 64.3 billion liras

2023: 122.4 billion liras

2024: 238.9 billion liras

6-Year Total: 497 BILLION liras