Shocking claim in IMM corruption operation: Company that won 20 billion tender declared concordat

A large-scale operation has been carried out against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) as part of four separate corruption investigations conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. In the operation, recorded as the 5th wave, detention warrants were issued for 47 suspects, including mayors, former members of parliament, and business people.

So far, 33 people have been detained, while it has been determined that 3 people are in prison and 3 are abroad. Police teams are continuing their efforts to apprehend the fugitive suspects.

DETAINED COMPANY OWNERS DRAW ATTENTION

Among the prominent names detained are Remzi Baka and Şaban Baka, the owners of the company Ulaşım İç ve Dış Ticaret A.Ş. It is alleged that the company in question received 43 tenders worth approximately 20 billion TL from IETT after the 2019 local elections, which the CHP won in Istanbul.

According to Medyaradar, this company rose to become the firm that received the most tenders, with a resource equivalent to one-third of IETT's total 6-year budget. Furthermore, it was among the allegations that the company's connection with the IMM administration was established through the then-CHP Deputy Chairman and Istanbul MP Özgür Karabat.

WAS THE COMPANY'S ACCOUNTANT A CHP MP?

It is stated that CHP İstanbul MP Özgür Karabat previously served as the financial advisor for Ulaşım İç ve Dış Ticaret A.Ş. According to claims on social media, Karabat introduced the company to Ekrem İmamoğlu and directed it toward IETT tenders. Additionally, it is claimed that Karabat was appointed as the "deputy chairman responsible for the treasury" in the CHP in return for the company's success in tenders.

It is stated that Ulaşım İç ve Dış Ticaret A.Ş. came to the agenda not only for maintenance tenders but also for the purchase of 160 AKIA brand metrobus vehicles. It is alleged that these purchases were also made under the direction of the same individuals.

It is claimed that the company in question declared bankruptcy only two days before the operation was carried out. It is stated that Ulaşım İç ve Dış Ticaret A.Ş., known in the public eye as a company that "grew with lucrative tenders," fell into payment difficulties and therefore entered the bankruptcy process. The fact that the company's owners, Remzi Baka and Şaban Baka, were detained immediately after the bankruptcy declaration drew attention.

İMAMOĞLU VETOED, RESEARCH COMMISSION WAS NOT ESTABLISHED

It was also recalled that former AKP IMM Group Deputy Chairman Mehmet Tevfik Göksu ensured the establishment of a commission by council decision to investigate the tenders received by the company, but this decision was vetoed by the then-IMM President Ekrem İmamoğlu.

COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

In the 4 separate corruption files being conducted, not only the IMM but also the Büyükçekmece and Beşiktaş Municipalities, as well as some district municipalities, are included in the scope of the investigation. Among those detained are the following names:

Former CHP MP Aykut Erdoğdu

Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara

Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe

Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün

Ceyhan Mayor Kadir Aydar

Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin