12.05.2025 18:41
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality responded to businessman Mehmet İlhan Gülay's claims that "the IMM forced me to make a donation" with a written statement. The statement emphasized that the entire process was conducted within a legal framework and for the public good.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) made a written statement regarding the claims of businessman Mehmet İlhan Gülay, who stated that "IMM forced me to make a donation," emphasizing that the entire process was conducted within a legal framework, transparently, and based on the public interest.
A response has come to the claim of businessman Mehmet İlhan Gülay, who was arrested in the corruption investigation against IMM and was recently released, stating that "IMM forced me to make a donation."
"PREPARED ACCORDING TO COUNCIL DECISIONS"
In the statement from IMM, it was noted that the claim of "forced donation" does not reflect the truth, and that the relevant protocol was prepared based on the decisions numbered 2022/1511 and 2022/1190 of the IMM Council dated January 12, 2023.
The statement said, "These decisions are aimed at the planning of areas allocated for public benefit, such as education, social facilities, fire department, and underground parking. The terms 'abandonment', 'usufruct', and 'public use' mentioned in the planning notes are not donations, but legal public obligations required by the zoning plan. Yavuz Erkut left his position as Secretary General of IMM in July 2020. He was not even in office at the time of the claims," it was stated.
"THE MUNICIPALITY HAS ACTED IN LINE WITH ZONING AND PUBLIC INTEREST"
The statement also included, "In the petition dated November 16, 2023, the company stated that it wanted to make a donation voluntarily and clearly indicated that it had canceled its previous petition. The 'Usufruct Right Establishment and Donation Commitment Agreement' dated November 24, 2023, was signed with the notarized approval of both parties and was entirely based on legal procedures. The contract was prepared based on the Turkish Civil Code, the Code of Obligations, and the Municipal Law, and came into effect with the mutual agreement of the parties. The municipality has acted solely in line with zoning and public interest during this process," it was stated.