Testimony of Muhittin Böcek's two drivers: 'The mayor or his team were not carrying any bags'

As part of the "corruption" investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the IBB regarding charges of "managing a criminal organization," "membership in a criminal organization," "extortion," "bribery," "qualified fraud," "unlawful acquisition of personal data," and "rigging a tender," Aydın Günaydın and Özer Uygun, drivers for Muhittin Böcek—who is being tried while under arrest in the case concerning the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality—were arrested last night.

In its motion for arrest, the prosecution alleged that the two individuals "did not merely perform driving duties." Noting that the two were the people closest to Böcek and acted upon his instructions, the prosecution stated that both individuals frequently turned off their phones "to conceal their communications."

"THE MAYOR OR HIS TEAM WERE NOT CARRYING ANY BAGS"

According to the report on Halk TV, the arrested Aydın Günaydın stated the following in his testimony:

"I have been working for Muhittin Böcek for about 20 years. I first worked in his private office, and later I worked as a macro manager alone with the district mayor. On the date mentioned, we went to Manisa in two vehicles. I was driving the lead vehicle. Mayor Muhittin Böcek and his private secretary Yasin YELDİK were in the vehicle. In the vehicle behind, there was Özer, along with a security officer and a press advisor named Serdar. I do not remember Serdar's last name. Muhittin Böcek had mentioned that we were going to Manisa to support Ferdi Zeyrek, the Manisa Metropolitan Municipality mayoral candidate. We took a break at a gas station at the entrance to Manisa. Muhittin Böcek went to the restroom with his private secretary and security guards; I pulled the vehicle to the side of the market and waited. We left the gas station 15 minutes later. We went to the location sent to Mayor Muhittin Böcek, which was sent by YELDİK that day. Since I was waiting outside the gas station next to the vehicle, I do not know if the mayor met with anyone there.

When we arrived at the sent location, the mayor met with Ferdi Zeyrek. I and the security guards waited outside. The place where the meeting took place was a business called FZ Yapı. It was located next to industrial facilities. I do not know what they talked about inside. There was no one else with them. We were at the office for about 3 hours, then we all went to a place to eat. After eating, we set off to return to Antalya. Neither on the way there nor on the way back did Muhittin Böcek talk about our trip to Manisa in the back. As far as I know, again in the other vehicle, when that passenger went to the restroom at the gas station, the mayor or his team were not carrying any bags.

I do not know how long Muhittin Böcek and Ferdi Zeyrek have known each other. While going to Manisa, he did not establish contact with anyone from there. As I stated, the location information was sent to the mayor. Other people's names were also mentioned during Muhittin Böcek's candidacy process; other than that, I have no information regarding him not being nominated. I have nothing to say on this matter. I also do not know the allegations in the case in which he is being tried. I was not involved in these matters."

"I DO NOT ACCEPT THE ACCUSATIONS"

The other driver, Özer Uygun, said in his testimony, "I do not accept the accusations made against me; I am innocent. I am a backup driver. There is a vehicle I drive for the security officers; we go where the duty card says. Wherever the official vehicle goes, we go there and we wait. I have not seen anything. I do not accept the accusations and I request to be released."

News Source: 12punto