09.06.2026 14:50
The additional statement given to the prosecutor by Veli Ağbaba's driver, Gökhan Cumalı, added new claims to the investigation file. While Cumalı made various statements about Özgür Özel, Veli Ağbaba, and detained businessman Turgut Koç, his remarks regarding dollars in a blue bag, gift whiskey and phone allegations, and instructions to "delete the correspondence" drew attention.
A new development has occurred in the corruption and bribery investigation against politicians from the CHP. The additional statement given by Gökhan Cumalı, the driver of CHP Deputy Veli Ağbaba, to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's Bureau of Smuggling, Narcotics, and Economic Crimes has emerged.
"I RECEIVED A SALARY FROM IBB AND ACTED AS AĞBABA'S DRIVER" CLAIM
In his statement, Cumalı claimed that although he appeared as a permanent driver at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's Bakırköy Garage, he actually served as Veli Ağbaba's private driver. He also stated that he had previously driven İBB Secretary General Volkan Demir and Özgür Özel's daughter, İpek Özel.
REMARKABLE STATEMENTS ABOUT TURGUT KOÇ
Cumalı also made various allegations about the detained businessman Turgut Koç, known for his closeness to Özgür Özel and Veli Ağbaba. He claimed that Koç established a shell company in his own name to obtain tenders from municipalities and that through this company, tenders were secured from Ataşehir Municipality.
DOLLARS IN A BLUE BAG CLAIM
One of the most striking parts of the statement was the allegation of money transfer. Cumalı claimed that, on Veli Ağbaba's instruction, he received a blue cargo bag from an unidentified person in Bostancı and delivered it to an address in Maslak.
He stated that in the relevant communications, it was discussed that the package contained 100 thousand dollars, but after delivery, it was mentioned that only 94,800 dollars were found.
"WHERE IS THE MONEY?" MESSAGE
Cumalı alleged that Veli Ağbaba sent him a message saying, "Where is the money?" but claimed not to recall the content of the subsequent conversation. He argued that he had no involvement with the difference in money and that he never opened the bag he received.
WHISKY AND PHONE GIFT CLAIM
Cumalı's statement also included allegations about gifts sent to CHP headquarters. He claimed that numerous bottles of whisky were delivered to Veli Ağbaba and that Ağbaba occasionally gave these gifts to other people.
He also alleged that Ağbaba gifted iPhone-brand phones to Özgür Özel's advisors, Gülen Göksu Ercan and Mine Aytop.
"DELETE THE CORRESPONDENCE" INSTRUCTION CLAIM
One of the most striking parts of Cumalı's statement was the allegation of evidence tampering. Cumalı claimed that Veli Ağbaba instructed him to delete all WhatsApp correspondence.
However, Cumalı stated that he did not comply with this instruction and instead preserved the messages, sharing them with the prosecutor's office. The investigation process continues.