AKP members attempted a social media lynching campaign, but: IMM had sealed that villa 6 days ago

Villa construction within a forested area in Vaniköy, one of the most valuable locations on the Bosphorus, has prompted action from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

The Istanbul Provincial Directorate announced that an investigation has been launched into construction activities in the Bosphorus front-view zone in Üsküdar's Vaniköy neighborhood.

'WARNING LETTER HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE RELEVANT INSTITUTION'

Provincial Director Maliki Ejder Batur stated in a post on his social media account: "Following the detection of unauthorized construction activities in the Bosphorus front-view zone in Üsküdar Vaniköy, an investigation has been initiated by our Provincial Directorate. Since the area in question falls within the jurisdiction of the IMM Bosphorus Reconstruction Directorate, a warning letter has been forwarded to the relevant institution stating that necessary penal actions must be taken immediately."

The IMM Bosphorus Reconstruction Branch Directorate also issued a written statement regarding the illegal construction located within the Bosphorus front-view zone.

'ILLEGAL STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN DEMOLISHED'

The statement said, "On the property located at Üsküdar district, Vaniköy neighborhood, block 928, parcel 3, there are two reinforced concrete structures consisting of four independent units, each with two floors, and all of these structures possess occupancy permits. Additionally, the pool structure present in the survey project attached to the occupancy permit is also located on the parcel. Illegal structures that existed on the parcel in the past have been demolished."

The statement from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality also included the following:

"On the property located at Üsküdar district, Vaniköy neighborhood, block 928, parcel 3, there are two reinforced concrete structures consisting of four independent units, each with two floors, and all of these structures possess occupancy permits. Additionally, the pool structure present in the survey project attached to the occupancy permit is also located on the parcel. Illegal structures that existed on the parcel in the past have been demolished. Subsequently, regarding the legal structures, the property owners applied to our institution to obtain repair and renovation permits."

'SIMPLE REPAIR PERMIT HAS BEEN ISSUED'

As a result of the examinations, a simple repair permit was issued in accordance with the legislation. However, as a result of on-site inspections, it was determined that work partially outside the scope of the simple repair permit—which could only be carried out under a reinforcement license—was being performed without applying to our institution for such a license, and that additional wooden and prefabricated structures were being built onto the legal structures.

Upon this situation, the legal process was initiated immediately; a construction suspension report dated 16.08.2024 and numbered 2089 was issued, the construction was sealed, activities were prohibited, and a criminal complaint was filed with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the matter. Furthermore, the Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization was also informed. Our institution is meticulously fulfilling its legal obligations in this process and continues its work decisively to prevent all kinds of non-regulatory construction."

SUCCESSIVE POSTS FROM AKP FIGURES

While work on the matter began immediately, former Üsküdar Mayor Hilmi Türkmen targeted the IMM with a post on his social media account. Türkmen said, "In our time, we did not allow a single nail to be driven into the Bosphorus front-view zone. Now they are cutting down forests and building villas." Here is that post:

Once, the wife of a late Minister of ours had asked us for permission to make renovations; we noticed that a floor was being added, so we stopped it and demolished the structure.

In our time, we did not allow a single nail to be driven into the Bosphorus front-view zone. Now they are cutting down forests and building villas!

This is the peak, there is nothing higher than this,... pic.twitter.com/hnGHrRldmT

— Hilmi Türkmen (@hilmiturkmen34) August 22, 2024

AKP İstanbul Provincial Chairman Nuri Kabaktepe also addressed this issue in a post on his X account. Kabaktepe said, "While it is known that the region is under IMM supervision, the IMM administration owes the public an explanation as to why it did not intervene in this situation." Here is that post:

The forested area in Üsküdar Vaniköy, one of the rare beauties of the Istanbul Bosphorus, is among the leading green spaces known as the lungs of Istanbul. However, the images coming from Vaniköy show that this unique piece of nature is facing the threat of illegal construction... pic.twitter.com/24Z6g17IR4

— Osman Nuri Kabaktepe (@osmannnurika) August 22, 2024

News Source: 12punto