He ignited the fuse for the 5th wave operation against the IMM... The tenders won by 'confessor' Aziz İhsan Aktaş: From making toast in a canteen to owning a gas station...

Businessman Aziz İhsan Aktaş, who was arrested in a corruption operation targeting the Beşiktaş Municipality, gave a statement to benefit from effective remorse after 6 months in custody. Following information provided by Aktaş, who ignited the 5th wave of operations against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) with his statements, detention warrants were issued for 47 people.

FILED FOR CONCORDAT WHEN HE COULD NOT PAY HIS DEBTS

Aktaş, whose commercial activities ceased while he was in prison, filed for a concordat on the grounds that he could not fulfill his financial obligations. When the court accepted this request, he was legally protected from most of his debts. However, when the concordat period expired and his request for release was denied, he submitted two separate statements to the prosecutor's office.

ASSETS FROZEN ONLY IN CHP-RUN MUNICIPALITIES

While Aktaş's accounts related to earnings from his work with CHP-run municipalities were frozen, no precautionary measures were taken regarding his commercial relations with AKP-run municipalities and various public institutions. His assets were not seized either.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH AKP BUSINESSPEOPLE

According to information in Sözcü newspaper, it was noted that no intervention was made into the assets Aktaş holds in partnership with figures close to the AKP. One of his most notable investments is the Elif Petrol Opet station, which has 76 pumps and is located on the TEM highway in Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul. In this investment, referred to as the largest station in Europe and the third largest in the world, Aktaş's partners in the management of Güven Asfalt A.Ş. include Hayrettin Coşkun, a former AKP Ankara Provincial Vice Chairman, and Gürkan Dölekli, a relative of a former AKP mayor of Pasinler.

THERE IS NO PUBLIC INSTITUTION HE HAS NOT RECEIVED A TENDER FROM

The commercial relations of the company named Bilginay, owned by Aktaş, with the state are quite extensive. He has received public tenders in a wide portfolio ranging from high judicial bodies such as the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), the Court of Cassation, and the Council of State, to the Electricity Generation Corporation (EÜAŞ), the State Airports Authority (DHMİ), and dozens of city hospitals.

Furthermore, it is stated that while he continues to cooperate with municipalities under AKP and YRP management such as Gaziantep, Trabzon, Elazığ, Isparta, Şanlıurfa Haliliye, Erzurum Yakutiye, Yozgat, and Şanlıurfa Karaköprü, he also conducts activities with the DEM Party-run Mersin Akdeniz Municipality. No judicial or financial action has been taken regarding the ongoing work with all these institutions.

FROM PAST CANTEEN MANAGEMENT TO MILLION-LIRA TENDERS

The 49-year-old Diyarbakır-born Aktaş began his business life by running a canteen at Faik Ali Primary School with his family. Aktaş, who made a living selling toast, biscuits, and döner, quickly became the owner of a great fortune, especially through tenders he secured with AKP-run municipalities. Now, he is at the helm of private jets, fuel stations, and maritime transport investments.

AT THE SAME TABLE AS MINISTER ŞİMŞEK

Images of Aktaş's partner Gürkan Dölekli sitting at the same table as Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek at a private dinner in London were reflected in the public eye. The giant fuel station and other investments operated with Dölekli have come to the fore more frequently due to these relationships.

FOUNDED A MARITIME COMPANY WITH MEHMET CENGİZ'S NEPHEW

Aktaş also made headlines with Perla Denizcilik A.Ş., which he founded on November 7, 2023. Among his partners are Nurettin Cengiz, the nephew of Cengiz Holding owner Mehmet Cengiz, and Gürkan Dölekli. The company's Liberia-flagged ship was named "Yeni Yüzyıl" (New Century). The ship, which carries fuel abroad, especially to Cyprus, also drew attention for referencing the AKP's election slogan.

THE ROAD LEADING TO THE CHP CONVENTION

Aziz İhsan Aktaş was also a suspect in the investigation launched into allegations of "providing benefits" to some delegates at the CHP's 38th Ordinary Convention held on November 4-5, 2023. A total of 86 people were processed in this file.