Detained in IMM investigation: Derya Çayırgan's prosecutor's statement revealed

While 18 people were detained as part of a drug investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was initially alleged that volleyball player Derya Çayırgan was among those detained.

However, it was learned that Çayırgan was actually detained in the investigation targeting the IMM.

HER NAME WAS MENTIONED IN THE PROSECUTOR'S STATEMENT

Derya Çayırgan's name appeared in the prosecutor's statement of Rabia Karaca, who is currently under arrest as part of a drug investigation targeting celebrities.

According to a report by the pro-government newspaper Sabah, it was reported that Çayırgan, who gave her statement to the prosecutor, was referred to the Duty Magistrate Judge with judicial control conditions, including house arrest and a travel ban.

Meanwhile, Derya Çayırgan's statement to the prosecutor has been obtained. According to information shared by Mustafa Kadir Mercan, Çayırgan stated that she first met Ekrem İmamoğlu during the pandemic and that the contact was entirely coincidental. She described the moment in her statement, saying, "I met him while walking in Taksim in 2020 or 2021. I said to him, 'Hello Mr. Mayor, how are you?' I told him that I was a national volleyball player and that I played for Galatasaray."

Explaining that she was given contact information for an official visit after this encounter, Çayırgan stated that the meeting took place in a crowded setting and said, "We chatted in the crowd. I said I wanted to visit. One of the people with him gave me a phone number and said, 'Call from here when you want to come.'"

MEETING AT IPA FACILITIES: 'WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY FOR IMM?'

Çayırgan stated that she visited İmamoğlu at the IPA facilities in Florya in 2022–2023 by making an appointment and that they had a sports-focused conversation during the meeting. Regarding this meeting, she said,

"We talked about sports. He asked me, 'Would you like to play for IMM?' I said I couldn't play because they were in a lower league, but that I could play if they moved up to a higher league."

Stating that İmamoğlu also asked her about her plans after her sports career, Çayırgan said, "He asked me what I would do after my career ended. I said I didn't have any plans. He asked if I would like to work in sports management at the IMM after I quit volleyball, and I said, 'Why not?'"

URBAN TRANSFORMATION AND ACCOMMODATION IN MUNICIPAL FACILITIES

Stating that their house in Bahçelievler was demolished as part of urban transformation in 2023, Çayırgan explained the grievances they experienced during this process. Stating that they asked for support from the then-Bahçelievler District President Özgür Çelik, Çayırgan said, "We asked for help from Özgür Çelik, who was the Bahçelievler District President at the time and is my friend, due to our grievances. He sent my family and neighbors to a hotel. Later, we were placed in IMM facilities."

Stating that they stayed in municipal facilities for about 3.5 months, Çayırgan said, "Since I was playing for PTT in Ankara, I returned to Istanbul after a while. During this time, I was constantly looking for a house with my family."

"I CALLED TO THANK HIM"

Stating that she reached Ekrem İmamoğlu's personal phone during this period, Çayırgan said, "At first, he didn't answer the calls. Later, he returned my call. I thanked him. I also visited him in person."

MASAK REPORTS AND 50 THOUSAND EUROS

Responding to the prosecutor's questions regarding bank transactions mentioned in the MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board) reports, Çayırgan explained the source of the money entering her accounts as her own savings. In this context, she said, "I was not depositing the money I earned before 2021 into the bank. After 2021, I converted some of my savings into foreign currency and deposited them into my bank account."

Regarding the 50 thousand Euros deposited into her account on June 16, 2023, she said, "This money is my savings. I deposited the 50 thousand Euros to buy the house. It is not money given to me by others."

TRANSFERS MADE TO KAMEROĞLU CONSTRUCTION

Referring to the payments made to Kameroğlu Construction during the same period, Çayırgan said, "I sent 32 thousand dollars and 62 thousand 570 TL to buy a house. The phrase 'we are winning' written in the description is an expression of joy related to the national team process."

She added to her statement that the sale price of the house was 4 million 100 thousand TL and that the title deed was transferred to her on June 19, 2023.

"I DON'T KNOW WHY I DIDN'T SEND EUROS"

When asked why the money was sent in dollars and TL instead of Euros, Çayırgan said, "I don't know why I did that at the time. I might have done it under the guidance of the banker. Since some time has passed, I don't remember the details."