Ebru Gündeş’s husband Murat Özdemir’s statement: 'I don't know Aziz İhsan Aktaş, I have a family acquaintance with Yılmaz'

Gündeş's husband, Murat Özdemir, was detained on charges of "membership in a criminal organization" as part of an investigation into Selahattin Yılmaz, who was arrested recently, and was released after his statement to the prosecutor's office.

According to the information obtained, the questions asked by the prosecutor's office to Murat Özdemir were not included in the transcript, only Özdemir's responses were provided.

Regarding the investigation, Özdemir stated that he did not know businessman Aziz İhsan Aktaş—who was allegedly being prepared for assassination by Yılmaz and was released after cooperating with authorities in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) investigation—saying, "The statement he provided was read to me. I have no information regarding this statement."

Stating that he does know Selahattin Yılmaz, who was arrested on allegations of being a criminal organization leader, Özdemir said, "I have known the person named Yılmaz for about 5 years because I know his wife, Nuray Yılmaz. Ms. Nuray used to participate in public tenders and undertake road construction projects. Subsequently, we developed a family acquaintance."

Özdemir added, "As far as I know, he also had activities in the defense industry. I assume he wanted to chat with me about these."

ÖZDEMİR'S PROSECUTORIAL STATEMENT EMERGES

According to the report by Seyhan Avşar from Gerçek Gündem, the questions asked by the prosecutor's office to Murat Özdemir were not included in the transcript, only Özdemir's responses were provided. In his statement to the prosecutor, Özdemir said:

“I have been working in the defense industry for about 8 years. My first entry into this sector was about 8 years ago, when I connected firms operating in the defense industry abroad with the Military Factory Directorate of the Ministry of National Defense, as I had contacts with them. I entered this sector by receiving commissions on the purchases and sales made between them. Before this job, I was also doing vehicle rentals for public institutions. Since I resided in Ankara for many years and my family had such connections, I established my contacts with foreign defense industry firms in this way. After working for a while by bringing parties together through commissions in this manner, I slowly began to make a name for myself in the sector.

I do not know the person named Aziz İhsan Aktaş. I have never had any relationship with him to date. The statement he provided was read to me. I have no information regarding this statement.

I have known the person named Selahattin Yılmaz for about 5 years because I know his wife, Nuray Yılmaz. Ms. Nuray used to participate in public tenders and undertake road construction projects.

I met him through this occasion. Subsequently, we developed a family acquaintance. However, despite this, I have only encountered Selahattin Yılmaz by chance about 3 times in hotels or restaurants. In these encounters, we sat together for about 10-15 minutes. We have also spoken on the phone a few times. One of these was because he sent me photos of a watch I liked, and the other was because the owner of the cafe he was operating was a friend of mine. Other than these, I did not speak with him on the phone. I may have sent the message to him saying, ‘... Brother, I found a seat on the 23:20 flight. If I come to you, I won't make it to the flight. What should we do...’

He would occasionally want to sit and chat. However, sometimes these meetings could not take place due to the intensity of my work.

As far as I know, he also had activities in the defense industry. I assume he wanted to chat with me about these.”

News Source: 12punto