What is in the İmamoğlu report? 'It is highly likely that a money laundering investigation will be requested from MASAK'

Journalist/Utku Beycan

During the legal proceedings initiated against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a company and the bank safety deposit boxes of 7 individuals were seized following the preparation of a MASAK report. Former MASAK deputy head Dr. Ramazan Başak stated that the financial analysis reports prepared by MASAK do not contain allegations of corruption, noting that these reports instead contain the 'monetary and asset movements' of the relevant company or individual.

'THERE ARE NO ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION IN MASAK REPORTS'

Former MASAK deputy head Dr. Ramazan Başak stated that the MASAK reports currently in the investigation file are Financial Analysis Reports, noting that 'it has been widely reported in the public sphere that these reports contain allegations regarding corruption, terrorism, and the financing of terrorism.'

Stating that 'these reports are not accurate,' Başak said the following:

''MASAK reports do not contain allegations of corruption. These reports examine the monetary movements and asset movements of individuals and companies within the framework of investigations conducted by prosecutors or MASAK itself. The Prosecutor's Office examines these movements and, if it can provide evidence of a crime within the framework of these schemes, prepares an indictment. Furthermore, the Prosecutor's Office, depending on the available evidence and developments, may provisionally seize assets and monetary holdings or ensure that a seizure order is obtained if it deems it necessary.''

IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE SEIZED ASSETS WERE OBTAINED FROM CRIME

Stating that the seizure order was taken as a precautionary measure, Başak also made the following remarks regarding the progression of the process:

''From this point on, the following process must be followed: The seizure order in question was issued in accordance with Article 128 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CMK) and is proceeding according to the process in Article 17 of Law No. 5549 on the Prevention of Laundering Proceeds of Crime. From here, the Prosecutor's Office will request an investigation from MASAK regarding whether the seized assets were obtained from crime, and the seizure order will be finalized based on the result.

Furthermore, according to the regulation introduced by Law No. 7539, which was enacted in February 2024 and drew reactions from TÜSİAD and the public, in cases of strong suspicion of a crime, the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) may also be appointed as a trustee for up to 5 years for companies other than municipal companies (including the seized company in which Mr. İmamoğlu is a partner) in accordance with Article 133 of the CMK.

Prior to this, in addition to the existing allegations, it is highly likely that the Prosecutor's Office will request a money laundering investigation from MASAK to see whether the crime of Laundering Proceeds of Crime has been committed under Article 282 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).

The fact that the accusations regarding terrorism and the financing of terrorism against Mr. İmamoğlu are also incorrect has been registered by the judicial control decision issued.''

WERE 117 PROPERTIES PURCHASED WITH DIRTY MONEY?

According to findings leaked to the media from the MASAK report, İmamoğlu İnşaat, which is 60 percent owned by Ekrem İmamoğlu and 40 percent owned by his father Hasan İmamoğlu, purchased 117 properties between December 8, 2020, and December 11, 2023, including 19 shops, 19 residences, 63 apartments, 8 offices, 6 bureaus, and 2 plots of land. Speaking about the allegation that the source of the properties is unclear, Başak concluded his words as follows:

'As can be seen from the website, the firm in question is a family company that has been operating since almost the 1980s. As of now, there is no finding or assessment in the MASAK reports that the assets in question are assets derived from crime.'

News Source: 12punto