5-hour additional testimony from Özkan Yalım: New detentions in the investigation

New developments have occurred in the investigation into former Uşak Mayor Özkan Yalım, who was arrested as part of a corruption probe. It has been learned that Yalım, who previously testified by benefiting from effective remorse provisions, requested to provide additional testimony.

BROUGHT BACK TO THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

Following his request for additional testimony, Yalım was transferred to the Çağlayan Courthouse in Istanbul, where his meeting with the prosecutor reportedly lasted approximately 5 hours.

After the completion of the procedures, Yalım was sent back to prison.

NEW DETENTION IN THE INVESTIGATION

Demirhan Gözaçan was also detained in the morning hours as part of the same investigation. It was learned that Gözaçan's name was mentioned in Özkan Yalım's effective remorse testimony during the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the Uşak Municipality.

STATEMENT FROM MANISA METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY

A written statement was issued by the Manisa Metropolitan Municipality following the detention.

The following statements were used in the announcement:

“Mr. Demirhan Gözaçan, who serves as an advisor to the Mayor in our Metropolitan Municipality, has been detained to provide testimony and information as part of an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, unrelated to our municipality's activities. We present this to the information of the people of Manisa in order to prevent any false impressions that may arise in the public eye regarding our Municipality and to ensure the public is correctly informed.”

ALLEGATIONS IN THE EFFECTIVE REMORSE TESTIMONY

In his testimony under effective remorse, Özkan Yalım had alleged that he gave a total of 1 million 200 thousand liras to Özgür Özel to be used in the congress processes prior to the 2023 CHP convention.

In his testimony, Yalım claimed, “I left 200,000 TL of this money at his home in Manisa. I delivered 1 million TL to his close friend, a person named Demirhan, in Denizli.”

He also alleged that he held meetings with delegates and carried out support efforts for Özel to be elected as chairman.

Yalım had claimed that the conversion costs of the VIP vehicle belonging to the CHP Chairman were covered by the Uşak Municipality and that various gifts were sent to Özel and his family in 2022.

ALLEGATION REGARDING FOOTBALLERS

Yalım's statements also included declarations that 10 out of 24 Uşakspor footballers were shown as workers on the municipality payroll during certain periods and were provided with salaries.

It was also stated that he explained that 4 vehicles registered to the Uşak Municipality were allocated for the personal use of his wife and son.

HISTORY OF THE INVESTIGATION

Özkan Yalım was arrested on March 27 as part of the corruption and bribery investigation.

Following the investigation, it was announced by the Republican People's Party (CHP) administration that Yalım had been expelled from the party.

ACCUSATIONS BY THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

In a statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was alleged that duplicate invoicing was carried out in tenders awarded by the Uşak Municipality to companies, and the resulting difference was taken as a bribe.

It was also claimed that pressure was exerted to give partnership shares to the mayor's family members in businesses to be established during the tender processes, and that benefits were obtained in this way.

News Source: 12punto