Ünal Aysal reacts to Bosphorus mansion tender: 'This is a seizure operation!'

The Muhsinzade Mehmet Pasha Mansion, an Ottoman-era structure known by its modern name Hotel Les Ottomans, which was operated as a hotel for many years by former Galatasaray president and businessman Ünal Aysal, is going to auction today.

As one of the most iconic structures on the Bosphorus line, the mansion is, according to Aysal's claims, about to change hands for far less than its true value.

MORTGAGED WITH AKBANK LOAN

After the mansion was restored and brought into the tourism sector by the Unit Group, managed by the Aysal family, it was placed under mortgage in exchange for a loan taken from Akbank. However, as the process progressed, the receivables were transferred to Serdar Bilgili's company without an auction. This development has brought about discussions regarding the transparency of the sales process.

“VALUE IS 180 MILLION DOLLARS, AUCTION IS IN THE 35-50 MILLION BAND”

In an interview with the newspaper Sözcü, Ünal Aysal reacted sharply to the auction and the sales process. Stating that independent valuation firms have appraised the mansion at 178-180 million dollars, Aysal said the following:

“The auction to be held today could result in a bid between 35 and 50 million dollars. This is unacceptable. This is not an ordinary mansion; it is one of the most exquisite places on the Bosphorus, renovated from A to Z. Offering it for sale at these figures is not an economic operation, but a political and legal one.”

“THERE IS A SEIZURE OPERATION”

Aysal used the following striking expressions regarding what is happening:

“It is no coincidence that an auction is being held so quickly and at such a low price. This is a seizure operation. It is being targeted in an organized manner. This attempt, carried out through extra-legal methods and by leveraging public power, is a violation of property rights.”

LAWSUIT PROCESS CONTINUES

Ünal Aysal stated that they have filed two separate lawsuits against the sales process and that a decision expected from one of these cases by noon could halt the auction. If the court's decision results in the cancellation of the sale or a stay of execution, the auction will be suspended.