Melih Gökçek, under investigation, makes a move against Murat Ağırel

Former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek announced that he has filed a criminal complaint against journalist Murat Ağırel, who brought allegations regarding his assets in Europe to the public agenda.

Stating that he was called to testify on Friday, September 4, as part of an investigation initiated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Gökçek argued in a post on his X account that the allegations do not reflect the truth.

In his statement, Gökçek noted that the claims regarding the 23 properties registered in his name were not based on land registry records, stating, "All of my assets and properties are transparently listed in e-Government records."

Claiming that the allegations in question targeted him and his family, Gökçek stated, "Our faith in law and justice is absolute," and announced that a formal criminal complaint had been filed against Ağırel under the Turkish Penal Code and relevant legislation.

Gökçek's statement is as follows:

"TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC

I have felt the need to make a SECOND statement regarding the baseless allegations recently attributed to me by Murat Ağırel, which have caused public debate, claiming that there are 23 properties registered in my name.

First of all, I would like to state that the allegations in question do not reflect the truth and are completely unfounded. The statements made regarding the existence of 23 properties registered in my name are not based on land registry records. Such allegations are an attempt to create a false perception in the public eye by targeting me and my family.

All of my assets and properties are transparently listed in E-GOVERNMENT records. When one accesses E-GOVERNMENT records, it will be clearly seen that no such situation exists.

Our faith in law and justice is absolute. A FORMAL CRIMINAL COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST MURAT AĞIREL for the purpose of punishing those who make such baseless and slanderous allegations, in accordance with the Turkish Penal Code and other relevant legislation, in order to protect our personal rights.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION..."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Journalist Murat Ağırel had previously brought to the agenda allegations regarding the companies, real estate investments, and money traffic of Gökçek and his family in Germany. It was stated that Ağırel had testified as a witness within the scope of the investigation and had submitted the official documents in his possession to the prosecutor's office.

The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality had also filed a criminal complaint against individuals including former Mayor Gökçek, his family, Beyaz TV Ankara, and Osmanlıspor executives, alleging a "criminal organization." Municipality lawyer Nadi Türkaslan had stated that the application aimed to investigate whether assets were acquired using municipal resources.

News Source: 12punto