Muhittin Böcek responds to Akın Gürlek: 'Claims of money exchange are baseless'

Detained Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek has responded to statements made by Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, who claimed that "Muhittin Böcek stopped at a gas station in Manisa on January 15, 2024, and there was a situation of requesting money from Özgür Özel to become a candidate." In his statement to CHP deputies, Böcek emphasized that he went to Manisa solely to share election projects and that there was no money exchange whatsoever.

"I WENT AT THE REQUEST OF THE CHAIRMAN"

The statements Böcek made to the CHP deputies who visited him following the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality case, in which he is being tried while in detention, revealed the details of the incident. Böcek explained his purpose for going to Manisa as follows: "At the request of the chairman, during the late Ferdi Zeyrek's election campaign process, he wanted me to explain my projects that are more practical and have more direct contact with citizens in the city to Ferdi Zeyrek. For this reason, I went to Manisa as a team and explained my projects to Ferdi Zeyrek."

Böcek stated that he went to Manisa with only one friend, two security guards, and two police officers, and that it would be impossible to conduct a money exchange in such an environment.

"THE FIGURES MENTIONED ARE OUTRAGEOUS, I DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY"

Böcek also categorically rejected Justice Minister Akın Gürlek's allegations that he gave 20 million dollars to Özgür Özel and 12 million dollars to Ekrem İmamoğlu. Böcek said, "The figures mentioned are astronomical, outrageous figures. Muhittin Bey does not have such money, nor has such money ever been given." Furthermore, he expressed to the CHP deputies, "One does not give money to anyone to become a candidate. Such a thing is not possible."

CHP Antalya Deputy Cavit Arı stated in his remarks to Sözcü that Böcek conveyed his explanations "sincerely" and that he himself does not accept these allegations. Arı said that Böcek's visit to Manisa was a perfectly normal and official business trip, and that the claims of money exchange were completely baseless. Böcek stated sincerely that they only explained their projects in Manisa at the request of the chairman, and that they even ate meatballs at the famous local meatball restaurant there.

According to information featured in Saygı Öztürk's column, some discussions also took place regarding Böcek's assets following questions asked by CHP deputies concerning Justice Minister Gürlek's statements. Böcek stated that he owns 4 properties, but that he does not intend to make any written statement to respond to such allegations.