Non-prosecution decisions had been issued: Striking detail in files concerning Melih Gökçek

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş has initiated an appeal process for files concerning corruption allegations against former mayor Melih Gökçek that had previously resulted in non-prosecution decisions. Expert reports had been prepared for 55 out of a total of 97 files, leading to decisions of non-prosecution. However, it was revealed that, strikingly, the experts assigned to these files were consistently the same individuals chosen from a pool of 4,000 people.

THE SAME EXPERTS WERE ASSIGNED

It was determined that the person who prepared the expert report for the concert operation conducted at the ABB is the same individual who drafted reports in favor of Gökçek regarding Yavaş's criminal complaints.

In his statement on the matter, Yavaş said:

"When the files were always given to the same experts, Gökçek was cleared. What I have disclosed is only 10 percent; we have information like this regarding all the files. We have filed legal appeals for the files where non-prosecution decisions were issued and the same experts were involved. Three of our files are about to reach the statute of limitations, and no statements have been taken to date. There is also a non-prosecution decision regarding Gökçek in the cable car file. We have submitted our petition to appeal these as well. If statements are taken, the statute of limitations will be suspended."

THE SAME 3 NAMES WERE SELECTED FROM 4,000 EXPERTS

There are a total of 6,309 expert witnesses from various professional groups in Ankara. 4,000 of these individuals can be assigned to matters related to municipal legislation. However, it was determined that the same three people were consistently appointed from among the 4,000 experts for Gökçek's files. Although there are 876 experts in Ankara capable of working on accounting matters, the same "expert accounting witness" examined 55 of Gökçek's files. It was also determined that the same name from among the Court of Accounts auditors on the 23-page list was assigned to Gökçek's files and prepared favorable reports. It was reported that the same expert was also assigned in the field of tender legislation.

News Source: 12punto