06.07.2025 13:20
The arrested Mayor of Antalya, Muhittin Böcek, denied the allegations of 'bribery' in his statement to the prosecutor's office. Böcek stated that he had no knowledge of the fact that the payment for the 30 million lira house purchased for his former daughter-in-law was made by businessman Yusuf Yadoğlu, and that the invoice for the 8 million 500 thousand lira vehicle wrapping was also paid by Yadoğlu.
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In the investigation conducted by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the statement of the Metropolitan Mayor Muhittin Böcek, who was arrested last night on charges of two separate bribery actions, has emerged.
Böcek stated in his testimony that he did not accept the accusations. He mentioned that he has known businessman Yusuf Yadoğlu, who was previously released while being tried in another case in Istanbul, for about 10 years, and said: "He is a businessman who generally works with various public institutions in different fields. I do not have a detailed dialogue or intimacy with this person. I am not in a position to engage in a detailed dialogue with Yusuf Yadoğlu or any other businessman. I am not aware of the allegations made against me and my son Gökhan Böcek. I do not know the acquaintance or intimacy between my son Gökhan Böcek and Yusuf Yadoğlu. I am not aware of what kind of trade or relationship they have."
"I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO BE GRATEFUL FOR A HOUSE"
Stating that his son Gökhan Böcek had a brief marriage with Zeynep Kerimoğlu, Muhittin Böcek said, "I learned during the police statement that a house transfer was made regarding the divorce agreement in question, I say this with all sincerity. I only told my son not to victimise Zeynep, whom I see as my daughter, during this process. However, from the statements read to me in the police statement, I understand that a house transfer was made to Zeynep Kerimoğlu and that the money for this house was allegedly paid by Yusuf Yadoğlu. Again, I reiterate that I have no knowledge of any point in these processes. In fact, as I understood from the statement of Yusuf Yadoğlu read at the police, Gökhan has borrowed this money. My asset value is evident. I am not in a position to be grateful to another person for a single house," he said. Stating that his son Gökhan Böcek is currently abroad, Böcek said, "He went on a planned trip with his family before this incident occurred. He will return and give a statement as soon as possible. There is absolutely no possibility of him fleeing."
"MY SON HAS NO INFLUENCE OVER THE MUNICIPALITY"
Expressing that he was unaware of Yadoğlu making payments to various companies using his name through his son Gökhan Böcek for vehicle wrapping to be used in propaganda activities before the 2024 local elections, Muhittin Böcek said, "I did not follow such a path in election activities in my name in a special and economic city like Antalya. Our party and I have the power to cover these expenses. The claim that Yusuf Yadoğlu, with his own delusions, entered into certain businesses through my son Gökhan Böcek, as he cannot receive his entitlements from the municipality, is absolutely unfounded. My son has no official or unofficial influence over the municipality. No financial staff can make payments based on my son's words. Again, it is not possible for my son to obtain financial benefits from people to make entitlement payments. My son does not need money in this regard. I absolutely do not accept the accusations against me," he stated.
ACCUSATIONS AGAINST MAYOR BÖCEK
It was claimed that during a meeting held by Gökhan Böcek in Yusuf Yadoğlu's office 10-15 days before the 2024 local elections, a demand for 25 million TL was made for election activities, and upon the inability to meet this amount, an agreement was reached for a payment of 8.5 million TL for vehicle wrapping services. It was reported that officials from the relevant company confirmed that the wrapping work was carried out within the scope of Muhittin Böcek's election campaign, and that the payments were made through Yadoğlu's companies. MASAK reports, bank statements, and HTS records were also reported to be consistent with the statements.
30 MILLION TL HOUSING PAYMENT
In the second action, it was claimed that in February 2025, Gökhan Böcek purchased a house worth 30 million TL from a company named Özpınarlar on behalf of his wife Zeynep Kerimoğlu during their divorce process, and that this amount was paid to the company in three installments by businessman Yusuf Yadoğlu. It was noted that the bank transactions related to the payments, base records, and witness statements were found to be consistent with the testimonies.
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