He had shared documents: Cemil Tugay responds to Eren Erdem's 'Mehmet Cengiz' claim

As the local elections approach, the knot in the Republican People's Party (CHP) regarding İzmir has been untied.

At the CHP Party Assembly (PM) meeting held yesterday, Karşıyaka Mayor Cemil Tugay was announced as the candidate for İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor.

Former CHP Deputy Chairman Eren Erdem had made striking allegations about Cemil Tugay before his candidacy was finalized. Claiming that Tugay had relations with Mehmet Cengiz, Erdem alleged that municipal land was sold to Mehmet Cengiz.

CEMİL TUGAY'S RESPONSE TO EREN ERDEM

Cemil Tugay responded to Eren Erdem's allegations. Journalist İsmail Saymaz, who recounted his conversation with Tugay on the subject on Sözcü TV, stated that Tugay did not stand behind the transaction, but explained that he was not warned at the time and that he did not cause any loss to the municipality.

"I WANTED TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE"

Stating that figures close to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu opposed Cemil Tugay's candidacy, Saymaz explained what Tugay said as follows:

"There was a 2-dekar parcel of land belonging to the municipality within these borders. When I took office, the municipality needed resources, I had to pay off debts, and it was essentially a period when I was inexperienced. The staff at the time told me there was such a piece of land and said, 'If we sell this, we can generate income.' I planned to sell this land to someone else during the process, not to Mehmet Cengiz, but there was a legal obstacle at that time. In these land disputes, if you are going to sell a property, the person who holds a larger share in that land has priority. Therefore, if they object, the sale does not take place.

'I RECEIVED MORE THAN I WOULD HAVE THROUGH THE COURTS'

That is why we could not sell it to another person. The Mehmet Cengiz side said they had applied to the court, that it would take time, and that the municipality would earn less income in that situation. Upon this, I negotiated with them without going to court and sold the property. In return, I received more money than I would have through the courts. However, this problem had started before me and was a problem that reflected into my term. When I sold it, my opponents took this to the CHP Headquarters. 

'I ALSO SPOKE WITH SOYER AND KILIÇDAROĞLU'

This issue was taken to the headquarters in 2020 as well. I asked Tunç Soyer, and he said there was no problem with this sale and that it was in accordance with the procedure. Still, Kemal Bey (Kılıçdaroğlu) wanted to meet 4 years ago. When I explained it, Kemal Bey said, 'Okay, you are not at fault, but do not have any greetings with the Cengiz family.' I said, 'Okay.'"

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

Former CHP Deputy Chairman responsible for Media, Planning, and Social Media Policies, Eren Erdem, had shared some documents regarding Tugay's sale of land to Cengiz Holding in a post on his social media account, while arguing that Cemil Tugay had relations with Mehmet Cengiz.

News Source: 12punto