Imamoglu charged with heading tender-rigging organization

(Patria) - The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has shared details of two investigations in which Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamolu (Imamoglu) was detained.

It is stated that an investigation was launched based on a report, which determined that certain companies conducted tenders, rigged tenders through direct procurement or service procurement, committed qualified fraud, illegally obtained personal data, bribery, and extortion.

- As a result of the investigation initiated ex officio by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the video shared with the public under the title "Images of Counting Money in CHP" and a public lawsuit was filed, witness statements were taken regarding the irregular collection of funds, primarily concerning the Mayor of Istanbul Municipality and other business people giving money, acting with certain businessmen, and laundering money acquired through criminal acts through pawns from whom they gained unjust profit, and that civilians called "secret safes" were used in the transfer and collection of money. Furthermore, an investigation was launched in accordance with the report prepared by the property inspection regarding the tender contract and public procurement or related companies - they stated.

The Prosecutor's Office announced that as a result of the investigation process, the following conclusion was reached:

- It was determined that Ekrem Imamolu, the leader of a profit-oriented organization, appointed people who were with him and subordinate to him from his term as head of the Istanbul Beylikduzu Municipality and after he became the Mayor of Istanbul.

It is further stated that they undertook criminal activities through irregular tenders, direct procurement, or service procurement of qualified works in many Istanbul branches, and that they committed acts of bribery and extortion in an organized manner.

- Members of the organization submitted high bids for the service procurement works of Meyda A.Ş., which is a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Municipality, both in their own name and in the name of their SGK employees, and determined the final price and obtained works that were much higher than their value, most of the works they received were not used, and some of them were used. Invoices in accordance with the activities of the criminal organization as well as their personal enrichment, personal data of citizens living in Istanbul were illegally obtained and used for the continuity of the organization. Members of the organization who won the tenders "MEDYA A.Ş.", "KÜLTÜR AŞ.", "KİPTAŞ" and "İSFALT" transferred money to EMO companies, i.e., companies belonging to the construction firm transferred to "KreluĞ" companies by referring individuals with the first advance payments they received from the municipality - the statement said.

They claim that it was determined through the reports of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), deposit reports, tax expert reports, witness statements, and other evidence that payments were not made to the businessmen who received work from the Metropolitan Municipality as a result of open tenders. They explain that payments were made by obtaining money through threats, demanding bribes, while real estate was acquired as a result of bribery and extortion, and was taken in the name of businessmen used as the organization's so-called safes.

Imamolu and several other individuals are charged with organized crime related to extortion, bribery, aggravated fraud, illegal acquisition of personal data, and tender rigging.

Arrest warrants, detention orders, and property searches have been issued for all suspects.

Istanbul University announced on Tuesday that it had revoked Imamoglu's diploma due to irregularities, dealing a blow to the opposition just days before he was expected to be chosen as their presidential candidate in the next election.

Without a university degree, Imamoglu from the main opposition CHP cannot be a candidate for the President of Turkey.

Imamoglu said the university's decision was illegal and beyond its jurisdiction, and that he would initiate legal proceedings.