Striking claim from İsmail Saymaz about Ahmet Özer: Is a new investigation being opened?

Journalist İsmail Saymaz has alleged that a second investigation is being conducted into CHP Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, who was arrested on charges of "PKK membership," this time on allegations of "terror financing." Saymaz stated that Özer's financial connections are under detailed scrutiny.

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Striking claim from İsmail Saymaz about Ahmet Özer: Is a new investigation being opened?

Journalist İsmail Saymaz has claimed that a second file has been opened against CHP Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, who was detained and subsequently announced to have been arrested. Saymaz stated that an investigation into "terror financing" is being conducted against Özer, who was arrested on charges of "PKK membership."

Noting that Özer's detention could be prolonged, Saymaz said the following:

"Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek, who has the backing of Erdoğan, has opened a second Esenyurt file. An investigation is being conducted into Özer within the framework of Law No. 6415 on the Prevention of the Financing of Terrorism.

Both the trustee, the Ministry of Interior inspectors, and Prosecutor Can Tuncay are continuing a financial review.

The tenders awarded by Özer after he was elected are being reviewed to investigate whether he transferred resources to the organization.

Furthermore, they are focusing on whether priority was given in hiring to those defined as 'Value Families,' whose relatives are in the PKK.

There will certainly be more to come after Esenyurt. As I mentioned in my article the other day, I believe a tunnel is being dug from Esenyurt to Saraçhane.

Ahmet Özer, who was involved in the Kurdish political movement in the past and has pondered these issues, was chosen as a springboard because Esenyurt was seen as the 'weak link' among CHP mayors in Istanbul.

Otherwise, the real target is Ekrem İmamoğlu. Judicial sources content themselves with answering my questions in this direction by saying, 'We cannot say anything.'

To me, this is a matter of political conjuncture. If the government cannot politically eliminate the 'risk' of İmamoğlu, it will want to eliminate him 'legally.' They may resort to the method of smearing and marginalizing by associating İmamoğlu and the CHP with the PKK."

WHY WAS AHMET ÖZER ARRESTED?

Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was detained at his home. It was noted that the detention order was issued due to various investigations being conducted into the municipality in Esenyurt. Searches were carried out at Özer's home and at the municipality.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the investigation was aimed at identifying the members and activities of the PKK/KCK terrorist organization.

Özer was taken to the Vatan Police Headquarters as part of the detention. It was announced that Özer was arrested following his detention.

ALLEGED 14 CONTACTS WITH INDIVIDUALS SOUGHT WITH RED NOTICES

The following statements were included in the explanation regarding the matter from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office:

"Within the scope of the investigations conducted by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to identify the members and activities of the PKK/KCK terrorist organization;

Based on the evidence within the scope of our investigation file, in summary, regarding the suspect Ahmet Özer, who is currently serving as the Mayor of Esenyurt district in Istanbul; considering the organizational documents seized from members of the terrorist organization and also delivered to the executive cadre of the organization located in the Qandil region of Northern Iraq (the appropriateness of his assignment to the so-called democratic autonomy project during the meeting held with terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan on Imralı island), the transcripts of conversations obtained as a result of the communication interception measure applied to him, physical surveillance reports, and the contents of the examined account movements, and considering the communication contact records, including 14 contacts with Remzi Kartal (Co-Chair of KONGRA-GEL - Member of the KCK Executive Council - one of the individuals sought with a Red Notice), who is among the executives of the terrorist organization, and 694 different unique individuals who have judicial records due to their membership in the aforementioned terrorist organization over a period of approximately 10 years, it is understood that there is strong suspicion of a crime that he committed the crime of 'Being a Member of the PKK/KCK Armed Terrorist Organization' by establishing an organic bond with the terrorist organization in a continuous and intense manner;

In accordance with the decision taken from the Istanbul Duty Criminal Court of Peace, the suspect was apprehended and detained in line with the instruction given to the Istanbul Police Department Anti-Terrorism Branch Directorate to search his residence, workplace, and vehicles, to seize criminal evidence, and to apprehend and detain the suspect as of 06:00 on October 30, 2024. Search operations are still ongoing."

News Source: 12punto