18.05.2025 17:12
An investigation has been initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the allegations that the statements of Ertan Yıldız, an advisor to the Mayor of Istanbul, were obtained under duress, and that he and his family were threatened in relation to the lawyers of Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested in the corruption investigation at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, namely Kemal Polat and Mehmet Pehlivan.
```html
In the investigation conducted against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) regarding "Corruption," a probe was initiated against Ertan Yıldız, who was captured while being a fugitive, as an advisor to IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. It was reported that he "submitted a petition to benefit from effective remorse" and "gave a statement containing effective remorse." Despite the fact that İmamoğlu's lawyers, Mehmet Pehlivan and Kemal Polat, had no agency relationship with Yıldız, it was alleged that Yıldız's statement was taken under pressure by the lawyers in prison, and attempts were made to have him sign a press release, with threats made against Yıldız and his family. Following these allegations, an investigation was initiated by the prison administration. As a result of the findings, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an ex officio investigation regarding the claims.
HE GAVE A STATEMENT TO BENEFIT FROM EFFECTIVE REMORSE
Last week, Yıldız was brought from Kandıra Prison, where he was detained, to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. To be released by benefiting from the provisions of "effective remorse," he gave a statement to the prosecutor saying, "I will tell what I know" within the scope of the IMM "financial crimes" investigation. In his statement, Yıldız mentioned the municipal subsidiaries and explained who was responsible for which subsidiaries. Claiming that a system was established and that he was excluded for not adapting to this system, Yıldız said, "I will do my best to reveal the truth in the upcoming process." However, he could not be released by benefiting from the provisions of "effective remorse."
Highlights from Ertan Yıldız's statement, known as İmamoğlu's treasurer, to benefit from the provisions of "effective remorse," are as follows:
- Ekrem İmamoğlu personally monitored the entire financial system, and he would question individuals working on his behalf one by one.
- These individuals would occasionally do small jobs in their own names, and Ekrem İmamoğlu would turn a blind eye to this.
- Zafer Keleş is the brother of Fatih Keleş and was responsible for the collection of receivables on behalf of Fatih Keleş. The collections made on behalf of Ekrem İmamoğlu were also collected by Fatih Keleş.
- This money was generally brought to the old presidential residence in Florya, which Fatih Keleş used as an office.
- About 7-8 months before the operation, Ekrem İmamoğlu warned many IMM bureaucrats that we were being listened to and followed, and that we needed to be careful.
- I know that he often printed books before tenders were announced or orders were placed.
- The last Metro tender being conducted by Kalyon Construction was actually designed for another company from the very beginning, and it was determined which company would receive which price offers.
- It was even rumored that Fatih Keleş had agreed with this company on a 7% commission.
- However, a day before the tender, a person had notarized which company would buy at what price, and this document was leaked to the press as a result of the tender. Consequently, this tender was abruptly canceled, and Kalyon Construction received the new tender.
- In the tender for the 49-acre land in Istanbul Valley belonging to IETT, Ekrem İmamoğlu first told Adem Soytekin that he could win the job here and that he should be given a chance.
- The tender was won by a company owned by Bahattin Uçar named Invest Yatırım. Adem Soytekin threatened Bahattin Bey by saying that he wanted to partner in this construction, otherwise his work at IMM would not proceed. Bahattin Uçar called me to convey this situation.
- During Ayhan Koç's tenure as the Head of the Cemetery Department, he sold closed cemetery areas to create a fund for his mayoral candidacy, conducting these sales himself and through intermediaries.
- I have explained everything I know to your Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in full transparency. I will do my best to reveal the truth in the upcoming process.
```