Justice Minister Bozdağ Confesses Lavish 'Ak Saray' Built Illegaly

The minister of justice has admitted that a February court ruling ordering a halt to the construction of the new presidential palace has not been reversed by a higher court and apologized for previously having said the opposite.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ spoke on Wednesday during parliamentary debates about the presidential palace, which is known as “Ak Saray," or White Palace. Bozdağ said he had made a mistake when he stated that a regional administrative court had reversed the decision of the Ankara 5th Administrative Court to suspend construction on the palace. Bozdağ claimed he had been misinformed by his bureaucrats.

On Feb. 10, the Ankara 5th Administrative Court ordered the suspension of all construction activity in the Atatürk Forestry Farm (AOÇ) -- the location of the now-complete Ak Saray -- because at the time it was designated a first-degree environmentally protected site. Bozdağ's recent statements indicate that the court's decision is still in effect, as appeals submitted against the decision have been rejected by a higher court.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Kırıkkale deputy Turgut Dilbek commented on Bozdağ's remarks, saying: “He has just admitted [that Ak Saray was built unlawfully]. He previously argued that there were no rulings against Ak Saray … but we have the Ankara 5th Administrative Court's decision. The court ruled that the change in the status of the zone [on which Ak Saray is built] from a first-degree protected zone to a third-degree protected zone was unlawful.”

Dilbek went on to say that as there is a court ruling stating that Ak Saray was built on a protected area, Ak Saray should be considered “unlicensed.”

“Honorable minister, if such a court ruling exists then what should we call the structures and roads built in the area in spite of the court's decision? In other words, what should it be called in legal terms? It [Ak Saray] should be called “unlicensed,” Dilbek said.

Then-Prime Minister and current President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had challenged the Ankara 5th Administrative Court's decision and dismissed those who called on the Ankara Governor's Office to halt the construction of the presidential complex on AOÇ land.

"If they have the power, let them destroy it," Erdoğan said after the court decision ruling the construction be suspended.

Tezcan Karakuş Candan, president of the Turkish Union of Engineers and Architects' Chambers (TMMOB), commented on Bozdağ's tacit acknowledgement of a court ruling against Ak Saray by saying Bozdağ should also apologize for misinforming the Turkish public about the palace.

Candan called on Pope Francis, who is scheduled to be hosted by Erdoğan at Ak Saray on Nov. 28 as the first foreign guest, not to visit the palace under such circumstances.

Ak Saray features saunas, pools, spas

Candan has said that the presidential palace features saunas, bathhouses, spa centers, a swimming pool and a cinema.

Candan criticized the presence of such features in a public building, which the president has called "the people's palace.”

“The mechanical components of a swimming pool alone cost 75,000 euros. It costs 3,000 euros per square meter for the construction of saunas, bathhouses, and spa centers,” Candan said.

Candan went on to say that the walls in the palace are decorated with a special ornamental foiling technique that was used in the decoration of Ottoman palaces.

“The foiling technique was often used in the decoration of Ottoman palaces. Was gold also used in the decoration [of Ak Saray]? We do not know for sure. … It is called 'the people's palace.' If this is so, they should disclose the features of the palace so that we can be sure if this is really the case.”

Built at a cost of TL 1.37 billion ($615 million) and constructed on 300,000 square meters inside the AOÇ in Ankara, the palace has been the target of harsh criticism for its lavishness and size considering its function as the presidential residence, which is a symbolic seat in Turkey.

Candan previously claimed on Nov. 19 that the palace has at least 2,000 rooms and may have up to 5,000 if underground levels are included, contradicting earlier official statements that said the total number of rooms is 1,000.

Vedat Denizli (Cihan/Today's Zaman)