Breaking News... Operation at Üsküdar Municipality: Detention order issued for Sinem Dedetaş

As part of an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into allegations of irregularities in building permit and occupancy permit processes at Üsküdar Municipality, 6 suspects, including Mayor Sinem Dedetaş, have been detained.

It was reported that the investigation, coordinated by the Special Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, was launched following reports, victim statements, and testimonies from suspects benefiting from effective remorse regarding irregularities in the building and occupancy permit issuance process involving Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş, Deputy Mayor F.D., Mayoral Advisor U.M., Chief of Staff A.K., Kent A.Ş. General Manager N.A., and relevant unit personnel.

According to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it is alleged that Kent A.Ş. personnel, who had no authority to issue building permits, directed municipal staff and coordinated the permit process by preparing tables containing block-parcel based color-coding via a communication network created on an encrypted messaging application. The statement indicated that it was determined through MASAK data and other evidence that numerous 'consultancy service' contracts with a total value of 1 billion 78 million 870 thousand 833 TL were signed between Kent A.Ş. and contractors, and that 361 million 392 thousand 264 TL has been collected to date within this scope.

The investigation also alleges that contractors were forced to sign contracts with Kent A.Ş. to obtain building permits, that bribes were received in exchange for illegal occupancy permits, and that some payments were delivered in installments to Mayor Sinem Dedetaş's advisor U.M., as determined by HTS records, base station data, and suspect statements.

SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION AT 11 ADDRESSES

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that it was also determined that some contractor firms that did not want to make cash payments in exchange for illegal occupancy permits were made to sign donation protocols and undertake renovation works. As part of the investigation, a simultaneous operation was conducted at 11 different addresses in Istanbul on July 29. During the operation, 6 suspects were detained: Mayor Sinem Dedetaş, Deputy Mayor Ceyhun Ünlü, Chief of Staff Alihan Koçoğlu, architect Burçin Çevik, business agent Adem Altıntaş, and contractor Bülent Orhan Tozkoparan. Numerous digital materials were seized during searches at the suspects' addresses. The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the investigation is being carried out with diligence and determination.

MONEY TRAFFIC IN LARGE PROJECTS CONDUCTED IN DOLLARS

One of the most striking allegations in the file is that the money traffic in large projects was conducted in cash dollars. It was stated that dollars received in cash from contractors in high-volume construction projects were collected under the coordination of Mayor Dedetaş's advisor U.M. and Kent A.Ş. General Manager N.A. The fact that the money was delivered in installments at the municipal building entered the file through HTS records and suspect statements. A different method was followed for contractors who did not want to make cash payments. It was determined that a front donation protocol signed by Sinem Dedetaş was drawn up for a firm that did not provide cash in exchange for an illegal occupancy permit, and the firm was made to undertake various renovation works.

THOSE DETAINED

In line with the evidence obtained, a simultaneous operation was conducted by Istanbul Police Department teams at 11 different addresses. The names detained in the operation, where numerous digital materials were seized, are as follows:

Sinem Dedetaş (Mayor of Üsküdar)

Ceyhun Ünlü (Deputy Mayor)

Alihan Koçoğlu (Mayor's Chief of Staff)

Burçin Çevik (Architect)

Adem Altıntaş (Business Agent)

Bülent Orhan Tozkoparan (Contractor)

MOMENTS SINEM DEDETAŞ WAS DETAINED

While details regarding the operation have emerged, footage of the moments when Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş was detained at her home by financial crimes police has surfaced. 

News Source: 12punto