Dismissals within the scope of the investigation into ABB

An important development has occurred within the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) as part of an investigation launched following a concert event organized by the municipality.

Head of the Department of Culture and Social Affairs Haluk Erdemir and Coordinator of the Department of Culture and Social Affairs Hacı Ali Bozkurt have been temporarily suspended from their duties by ABB Mayor Mansur Yavaş until the investigation process is completed.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Allegations had emerged that 69 million TL was paid for the celebrations organized by the ABB for the October 29 Republic Day and the Ebru Gündeş concert planned within this scope. ABB Mayor Mansur Yavaş announced on Saturday, November 9, that the investigation into this matter had concluded.

In a statement released late Saturday regarding the allegations surrounding Ebru Gündeş, who performed as part of the 101st-anniversary celebrations of the Republic, the ABB wrote that the claim that 69 million Turkish Liras was paid to Gündeş for the public concert on October 29 was false.

In the statement made from the ABB's verified press account on the social media platform X, it was stated, "The net figure is not 69 million lira, but '44 million 937 thousand 117 lira including VAT'." It was added, "We remind you that this figure also includes transportation, accommodation, the screen set up at Ebru Gündeş's request, the sound system, the stage construction, technical equipment, and the expenses of nearly 100 employees." On Monday, Yavaş gave a presentation and press statement regarding concert expenditures and provided information about other past concerts.

Stating that a total of 78.5 million TL was paid to artists Gülşen, Murat Boz, and the band Mor ve Ötesi for concerts held on May 17-18-19, 2024, Yavaş said, "When you divide it by three, you will see what falls per concert. 41 million 950 thousand TL was paid for the Tan Taşçı concert on August 30, together with the institution."

Regarding the Ebru Gündeş concert, Yavaş said, "This concert was actually being contracted for the first time. However, I canceled it due to the TUSAŞ attack. This time, there was persistent pressure from the public saying, 'A municipality cannot do this in the face of terrorism.' There was great pressure that this concert must be held. No work was done for 4 days, then we continued due to the pressure. When we continued, all the work on the contract could not be completed. Two main concerts, sound, stage, lighting, and decor, cost 31 million 680 thousand TL. The concert and other service items, including what was paid to Ebru Gündeş and her team, totaled 13 million 257 thousand TL. We are disclosing this with Ebru Gündeş's own consent. The performance fee, the money paid to her entire team, is 4 million 750 thousand TL. Ebru Gündeş received a performance fee within this. She wanted us to disclose this as well," he said.

Mansur Yavaş announced that the expenditures for the concerts held correspond to 6 per thousand of the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality budget.

"We have spent 127 billion 844 million TL between 2019 and October 31, 2024. As you can see, our budget is 127 billion 844 million TL. What is the ratio of this within these 127 billion liras for concert expenditures? Take a guess. 6 per thousand, friends. It is not even 1 percent."

News Source: 12punto