Testimony of IMM Zoning Director Ramazan Gülten revealed: 'I consider it an insult'

Ramazan Gülten, who still has ongoing loan payments for a house and a car he owns, gave his statement at the Financial Crimes Investigation Bureau on charges of 'establishing a criminal organization, bribery, bid rigging, extortion, and qualified fraud.'

Gülten was asked whether he had any commercial relationship with the 33 companies and their owners mentioned in the investigation.

It was learned that Gülten replied, "I do not know any of the firms shown to me above. I also do not know who the owners of these firms are."

'LADİN'S ALLEGATION WAS ASKED

The testimony also addressed the claims of the secret witness codenamed Ladin, who is frequently mentioned in investigations into the IMM, alleging that decisions in zoning matters were made in accordance with the wishes of Ramazan Gülten and Gürkan Akgün. Denying Ladin's allegation, Gülten reportedly stated the following:

"A PRODUCT OF IMAGINATION"

"The allegations in question are untrue and a product of imagination. The Architectural Aesthetics Commission was established in 2020 in accordance with zoning legislation. This commission is an official body that produces decisions based on architectural aspects, Bosphorus view, the historical peninsula, and other urban values for structures that require silhouette approval in the city, according to the law and its working directive. Its purpose is to evaluate the relationship of high-rise buildings with the historical texture, their visibility according to the city's Bosphorus and other values, their impact on these values, and whether they are designed in accordance with plan conditions, and to decide whether they are suitable for architectural aesthetics in terms of contour and height. Files to be submitted to the Architectural Aesthetics Commission are prepared by the relevant parties and delivered to the IMM. As a result of the evaluations made, they are taken onto the commission's agenda and decided upon.

"IT HAS BEEN PREVENTED"

File owners usually meet with the silhouette department during the application phase to the IMM and receive information on how the file should be prepared. The silhouette department also provides them with examples regarding the necessary documents and catalogs. The file is prepared according to these examples and delivered to the silhouette department.

This process is concluded within approximately 1 month, depending on the size of the project. The activities of this commission are audited by the Internal Audit unit. Before 2020, such files and projects were decided upon with a very subjective evaluation. The authority in this regard rested with the Zoning Director and the Zoning Department Head.

Considering that this authority could be abused, the Architectural Aesthetics Commission was established to create a more objective evaluation and auditing mechanism. There are 5 people serving on this commission. With the establishment of this commission, the authority previously concentrated in the hands of 1 person was left to the collective evaluation of 5 people. Thus, the possibility of abuse of authority was prevented.

"I CONSIDER IT AN INSULT"

This situation alone clearly and explicitly demonstrates that the issues put forward by the secret witness are untrue. The baseless allegation that every decision I want is made, as claimed by the secret witness, is also untrue. I have no authority in the formation of this commission. There is no subordinate-superior relationship between me and these people. I have not faced any corruption allegations in any public institution or organization, including the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality where I worked before. I consider the direction of such an allegation at me an insult to my person and my professional career."

"I CONTINUED MY EDUCATION LIFE AMIDST DIFFICULTIES"

Denying all the accusations directed at him, it was noted that Ramazan Gülten included the following in his final statement:

"I reject all the accusations leveled against me. I am a child of the Republic with a character that sees professional honor above everything else and will never allow a single bite of illicit food to pass through my throat or that of my family. My family and I grew up in poverty. I continued my education life amidst difficulties. I have lived my life realizing that all of these are a blessing offered to me by this country and the Republic. I will never perform any work or transaction that would cast a shadow on my own name or my father's house, or cause my children to be ashamed in the future. I accept this as an insult made to myself."

"I DEMAND TO BE RELEASED"

"I have been serving at the IMM since 2019. In areas that I saw as very open to abuse in periods before me, I made efforts to both increase audits and create a structure in accordance with ethical values. I will use my legal rights to the fullest regarding the statements of the secret witness who made baseless accusations against me. I return these allegations, which constitute an attack on my moral, professional, and ethical values, in kind.

Regardless of which political party the municipality belonged to in every period, I performed transactions by observing my professional honor and the interests of my nation. I never sought personal survival. I did not pursue such a goal. I acted by considering that if I had merit, I would reach the best places in my country.

If I could come out of a place in Anatolia known for poverty, go to university, and take a position in an institution like the IMM, it is because I acted in accordance with moral and ethical values. Again, the fact that I could work in a local government like the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, which was managed by the political power before, also stems from this.

I have never committed a crime. I cannot even imagine it. My wife is in a critical pregnancy process. Doctor's reports regarding this issue have been submitted to the prosecutor's office file by my lawyers.

I demand that the detention process, which I would describe as unfair and unlawful, be terminated and that I be released to return to my wife, who needs my support during this critical process."

News Source: 12punto