Melih Gökçek issues statement on real estate in Germany: 'Purchased for citizenship purposes'

Journalist Murat Ağırel had traveled to Germany as part of an investigation into the assets held in Europe by former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek and his family. It was revealed that Ahmet Gökçek and his wife, Hülya Gökçek, purchased a building with 18 apartments for 4.5 million euros through a company they established in Düsseldorf, and also signed an agreement to purchase a shopping mall for 8 million 500 thousand euros.

It was stated that the company in question has no employees or turnover, and the source of the funds allegedly sent from Turkey remains unknown. It was reported that the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into allegations that unregistered money was transferred to companies abroad by Melih Gökçek.

Following these developments, journalist Sinan Burhan, who is close to the government, spoke on TV100 and relayed his conversation with Melih Gökçek. According to Burhan's account, Gökçek said that his son, Ahmet Gökçek, and his children established a company and bought apartments to obtain citizenship in Germany.

Gökçek stated that a portion of the money for the real estate was paid, and a loan was used for the remaining balance.

Burhan used the following expressions on the program:

“Regarding the issue of the dormitory or hostel where it was claimed that 18 apartments were bought. Mr. Gökçek says: 'My son Ahmet and his children established a company and bought two apartments to obtain citizenship in Germany. Just like in the case of Mansur Yavaş's daughter buying an apartment in England, they used a credit and mortgage system. Ahmet Gökçek sold his house and car and transferred the money through legal channels via the bank.' That is the essence of the matter.”

News Source: 12punto