Gökçek family's investments in Germany on the agenda: Response from former MASAK official

Documents published by journalist Murat Ağırel regarding the commercial activities and real estate investments of former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek and his family in Germany have caused a wide stir in public opinion. Dr. Ramazan Başak, former Deputy President of MASAK and former Sworn Bank Auditor at the BRSA, stated that the trail of capital transferred abroad can be tracked rapidly thanks to international mechanisms.

CLAIMS OF MILLIONS OF EUROS IN INVESTMENTS WITH ZERO TURNOVER

In his research, which he based on official trade registry records, balance sheets, and notary documents, journalist Murat Ağırel shared the Gökçek family's overseas investment traffic. According to the information provided by Ağırel, it was observed that a company established with 30 thousand Euros in capital, with zero turnover and no employees, reached a real estate size of 3 million 857 thousand Euros within two years.

The documents also allegedly included a purchase agreement for a commercial complex worth 8.5 million Euros and negotiations for a shopping mall (AVM) valued at 180 million Euros.

FORMER MASAK DEPUTY PRESIDENT: 'TRACKING IS NOW MUCH EASIER'

Following the allegations, Dr. Ramazan Başak, who evaluated the issue in terms of financial intelligence and audit legislation, pointed out that MASAK possesses powerful international tools for detecting overseas money transfers originating from crime and tax evasion.

While stating that it is too early to make a preliminary comment on the source of the money and its legal status, Başak summarized the audit capabilities with the following words:

"MASAK is also a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). It is a member of the EGMONT Group, which includes 182 countries worldwide, and can obtain information from relevant countries on any matter falling within the mandate of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Turkey is also one of the 110 countries that ratified the 'Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information' in 2019. If desired, all money movements within this scope can be uncovered in the shortest possible time, and necessary sanctions can be applied based on the results."

Başak's statements are as follows:

Mr. AĞIREL has signed off on an important news story regarding the Gökçek family and has asked some questions.

Of course, it would not be correct to make a comment at this stage regarding the source of the money and whether the transaction constitutes a crime.

However, it is no secret that very large amounts of money originating from crime and tax evasion have been smuggled abroad in recent years. It is sufficient to investigate the owners of hundreds of ultra-luxury mansions in some of London's luxury neighborhoods.

So, can the trail of money taken abroad be tracked?

This tracking is much easier than in the past. Because;

MASAK is also a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). It is a member of the EGMONT Group, which includes the Financial Intelligence Units of 182 countries worldwide. It can obtain information from the relevant country on any matter falling within the mandate of the FATF.

Turkey is also one of the 110 countries that ratified the “Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information” in 2019. Although this Agreement aims to prevent tax losses and evasion, it provides the right to obtain information from many countries.

In short, if desired, all money movements within this scope can be uncovered in the shortest possible time, and necessary sanctions can be applied based on the results.

News Source: 12punto