Journalist Murat Ağırel testifies in 'off-the-books money transfer' investigation: Melih Gökçek and his family

Journalist Murat Ağırel has testified as a 'witness' regarding the alleged off-the-books transfer of money by the family of former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek to companies abroad.

In a statement made after his testimony, Ağırel said, "I believe the investigation will expand. My impression is that the investigation will involve many more names. I believe that a much larger incident will emerge as a result of the investigation." Ağırel had recently published a report on the Gökçek family's alleged off-the-books money transfers to foreign companies, leading the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to launch an investigation into Gökçek.

Ağırel recently shared striking details regarding former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek and his family.

According to these details, it was alleged that Gökçek and his family made multi-million euro real estate purchases through their company in Germany named HAMAG.

"I WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE"

It was alleged that the family made agreements for a building in Düsseldorf and a shopping mall in Velbert, and that the Gökçek family transferred money off-the-books to companies abroad.

Following these allegations, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into Gökçek. After the investigation was initiated, Melih Gökçek stated, "With God's permission, I have no account I cannot answer for. I will provide the necessary information to the prosecutor's office. I am submitting myself to Turkish justice."

In a post on his social media account yesterday, Ağırel said, "I will be at the Ankara Courthouse tomorrow. After my testimony, I will inform the public within the framework of what I can legally share."

"A VERY LARGE INCIDENT WILL EMERGE"

Ağırel, who testified today as a 'witness' to the Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor of Ankara, made a statement in front of the courthouse afterward.

Pointing out that the investigation could expand, Ağırel stated that he believes the investigation will cover numerous names and added, "I believe that a much larger incident will emerge as a result of the investigation."

The full statement by Ağırel is as follows:

"As you know, Melih Gökçek, his son Ahmet Gökçek, and his wife Hülya Gökçek have a company established in Düsseldorf, Germany. A company named HAMAG. I followed the trail of this company. After obtaining information, I followed up on this. I did journalism, to be more precise. It was a journalistic activity, as we all do. HAMAG is a company with zero turnover, zero employees, and 30 thousand Euros in capital, yet by 2024, it suddenly possesses assets worth 3 million 800 thousand Euros. Following the acquisition of these assets, which consist of 15 apartments and two commercial spaces.

"I HAD DECLARED THAT I POSSESSED THE DOCUMENTS"

Afterward, it evolved into a shopping mall in the city of Velbert with 18 apartments and five commercial spaces," said Ağırel; "That was also a place worth 8 million 700 thousand Euros. Two contracts were made for this place. First, it was made in the name of Hülya Gökçek. Afterward, it became a holding company again in the name of HAMAG, and the contract was renewed in the name of HAMAG, but because the conditions of the contract were not met, this sale could not be realized. Afterward, the direction was turned to Luxembourg. According to information I received from two people in Luxembourg, a shopping mall was being negotiated for figures around 180 million to 200 million Euros. In the negotiations for this shopping mall, no agreement could be reached, and they gave up on buying it. I told all the news about the people involved in this place. Melih Gökçek denied this. I had declared on that TV broadcast that I possessed the documents regarding this and that I could provide them to the prosecutor's office.

"I PROVIDED INFORMATION ABOUT MANY PEOPLE AND HOLDINGS"

Upon this, I wrote about it in Cumhuriyet Newspaper, and these were covered on Sözcü TV. Consequently, the prosecutor's office invited me to give my testimony as a witness today. I came and testified to the Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor. I explained all the documents and information I had to the Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor in detail. Beyond many issues that had previously been reflected in the press and that you are aware of, I provided information about many more people and holdings. I believe the investigation will expand much further. I understood that it would grow even more. I know you have questions about why the investigation was opened only regarding İbrahim Melih Gökçek. Let's say, based on the impression I gained, the investigation will expand significantly. It will progress to many more names. I am of this opinion, this thought. And ultimately, I believe that as a result of a much larger investigation, a much larger incident and plot will emerge.

There is currently a sensitivity regarding me sharing the text of the testimony. It was stated that it should not be shared for the sake of the investigation's integrity. There are actually many topics I would like to convey to you. I know that you are also curious about them professionally, but I want to inform you that I cannot convey this at the moment due to the importance and integrity of the investigation."

News Source: 12punto