Detained in IBB investigation: Derya Çayırgan breaks silence on allegations

Volleyball player Derya Çayırgan, who was released after being detained as part of the IBB file, has responded to the allegations made against her. Çayırgan also announced that she has filed a criminal complaint regarding the claims in question.

Stating that the allegations are "immoral" and "aimed at her personal rights," Çayırgan said she has been affected by the ongoing process.

In her statement, Çayırgan responded to the allegations one by one and announced that a criminal complaint has been filed against those who originated and spread these claims.

The full statement is as follows:

"In recent days, unrealistic, baseless, and completely imaginary allegations have been circulated about me on social media platforms and in various media outlets.

All of the allegations in question are immoral, humiliating, and clearly target my personal rights. For this reason, both I and my family have been deeply affected by this process. Furthermore, because an attempt is being made to create a false perception in the public eye regarding my life and professional career, which I have built with years of hard work, a written statement has become necessary for the first time.

At this point, the question 'Why haven't you made a statement until now?' may be asked. I would like to express this clearly: In these scenarios served to the public, many names other than mine are included, and these allegations are being spread by associating them with various individuals and circles. For this reason, I waited for a while for the other people mentioned to make a statement. However, because no statement was made and this silence had the potential to create a false impression in the minds of those who love me and the public, it has become necessary to make a statement for the sake of my personal honor and reputation.

1) THE MONEY ALLEGATION IS COMPLETELY UNTRUE

First and foremost, I would like to state that;

I have not received 50,000 Euros or any money from anyone, from any politician, and especially not from Ekrem İmamoğlu.

The allegations in this direction are completely baseless.

I have been a professional athlete for many years. In addition to my club income and bonuses, I have also had sponsorship and advertising collaborations. In this context, the entry and exit of certain amounts of money in my account is a natural result of my profession and income structure. Therefore, it is not true that I received money from any person or politician as alleged, nor is there any situation that would require me to need such a thing.

2) SLANDERS REGARDING PRIVATE LIFE

Furthermore, all allegations that I have a 'private relationship' with Ekrem İmamoğlu or that I am his 'girlfriend' are slander.

Such a situation has absolutely never occurred.

3) MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Throughout my professional sports life of over 20 years, I have played for different clubs and achieved significant sporting successes.

Being the European runner-up and finishing fourth in the Champions League with Galatasaray; being the Turkish runner-up and European champion with Fenerbahçe; finishing the league in 6th place with Çanakkale and earning the right to participate in European cups, and helping the team promote to the Sultans League in Adana are just a few of these achievements. During my university years, I also experienced European championships and was rewarded for these achievements.

4) MY INCOME, ASSETS, AND SAVINGS

I built my life with the income I earned during this process. My income was sometimes through bank transfers and sometimes in the form of payments and bonuses made in cash due to the working conditions of the sport.

When both my bank account movements and the equivalent income levels of professional athletes like me are examined, it will be clearly seen that I have a normal earnings and savings structure.

I have never chased a 'luxurious life'; on the contrary, I saved and invested for years. I created savings by using methods such as gold, foreign currency, and time deposit accounts.

In addition, all the clubs I played for outside of Istanbul provided accommodation; my house, bills, and basic expenses were covered by the clubs. For this reason, my personal expenses remained limited, and I had the opportunity to save and invest the income I earned.

To give an example; I bought my first vehicle in 2012. I made a land investment when I left Çanakkale in 2016. I bought the vehicle in question again in 2016 during my time playing at Halkbank. I acquired my house in Fikirtepe in 2019 by using a loan from Halkbank and with my own savings. I bought the residence I acquired in 2023 entirely with my savings. I bought a newer model of my vehicle in 2025; I sold my current vehicle to the place where I bought it before and added to it, and that is how I bought the new one. In October 2025, I sold my land due to a cash need that arose during a period when I was not working.

5) REGARDING URBAN TRANSFORMATION / THE DEMOLITION OF OUR HOUSE

Our house in Bahçelievler was not demolished due to the urban transformation process. In April 2023, in the evening hours, the building and the structures around it were sealed due to severe damage to the columns of the building next to us. The building in question was demolished while the belongings were inside; our building was also damaged during this process. During this process, support was provided not only to us but also to many people affected by the same situation. I would also like to state that I was not in Istanbul during the time this incident occurred due to my match schedule.

6) MY CURRENT INCOME STATUS

During my statement to the prosecutor's office, my current income status was also asked; I stated that as of today, my monthly income is at the level of approximately 40,000 TL. This income is rental income, which is my only regular earning at the moment. In contrast, if I were continuing my professional sports career, my monthly income would be expected to be near the 1 million TL level within market conditions.

In summary; I have stood on my own two feet throughout my life with my own labor, my own sweat, and honestly.

7) STATEMENT REGARDING THE "JET" ALLEGATION

I would also like to specifically state: I do not know the circles they associate my name with or the people they claim.

Furthermore, the "private jet" allegation made against me does not reflect the truth. I have never boarded a jet; I did not take part in the mentioned flights. This matter will be clearly revealed by official aviation records.

8) LEGAL PROCESS HAS BEEN INITIATED

It is not possible for me to remain silent in the face of such serious slander.

A criminal complaint has been filed against those who originated and spread these allegations, and a lawsuit for non-pecuniary damages has been filed. Because this situation is not only an attack targeting me personally; it is also a clear injustice directed at a woman's labor, reputation, and life.

I would like to specifically state that; the purpose of my initiating this process is for the facts known to everyone to become visible on legal grounds and for the public to be correctly informed.

I have infinite respect for our state and judicial authorities. My belief that the truth will emerge at the end of the process is complete.

Everyone who has known me for years knows: I have reached these days by working and struggling, and I will continue to stand strong in the same way."

News Source: 12punto