28.07.2025 17:46
Ahmet Daştanbek, the head of the Religious Affairs Directorate in Mecca, broke his silence following the allegations of a $270,000 bribery that has led to an investigation. Daştanbek stated that the allegations are false and defamatory, asserting that the amount of money he mentioned was $10,000, which was intended as charity to be sent to Mecca.
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The head of the Religious Affairs Directorate in Mecca, Ahmet Daştanbek, broke his silence following allegations that he received a bribe of 270 thousand dollars (approximately 11 million TL).
In the footage, the individual is heard asking the person recording the video, "Are you recording?" to which the person filming responds, "There's no recording. Why are you panicking? There's nothing to be afraid of." The individual then says, "I'm not panicking. There's nothing."
AN INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN INITIATED ON THE SUBJECT
Following the circulating video, the Religious Affairs Directorate took action. In a written statement regarding the matter, the Directorate stated, "An investigation has been immediately initiated by our Directorate regarding the video footage allegedly belonging to one of our officials on some social media platforms. The issue is being meticulously examined by the appointed inspectors."
HE SAID "CHARITY" MONEY
After the footage that made headlines in Turkey, Ahmet Daştanbek stated that the amount of money he counted was 10 thousand dollars and that it was charity money, saying, "The statements in the aforementioned broadcasts are nothing but distortions of a false nature/defamation. In 2023, 10,000 American dollars were sent through U. Tourism by a charitable person for the purpose of distributing Ramadan packages and charity to those in need in Mecca. There is no situation where 270 thousand dollars were sent. Mehmet Çığacı, who was dismissed from his position in the Mecca Umrah Organization due to previous disciplinary actions and later started working on behalf of U. Tourism, came with an unknown person to deliver 10 thousand dollars to the Umrah Coordination Center. During the delivery, since the accounting unit was closed, Mehmet Çığacı requested that the money be counted, saying, "let it not be short," and during this time, he started recording a video without permission."
I DID NOT HAVE ANY RESERVATIONS, SO I DID NOT HAVE THE VIDEO DELETED
Continuing his statement, he noted that the amount in question was recorded and continued his explanation as follows:
"When the video recording was noticed, he was warned, initially saying he was 'not recording,' and then stated, 'What’s the harm if I do?' Since I had no reservations about this, I did not suggest that he delete the video. Shortly after, the accounting officer at that time came to the office, and a report was prepared indicating that the amount in question had been recorded in the accounting account.
A REPORT WAS PREPARED
This report was signed by Mehmet Çığacı, the person with him, and the accounting officer. (The report was taken to Ankara by the accounting officer.) A portion of the money sent was paid to a company named Hacer Food for the aid packages prepared to be distributed to those in need. These packages were also distributed to those in need along with contracted personnel on duty in Mecca. The remaining amount of the money was given as charity during the distribution of the packages.
THERE IS NO ETHICAL VALUE
This smear campaign targeting me through a completely transparent situation and these baseless, unfounded claims and comments, which amount to character assassination, do not conform to any ethical and moral values, especially the principles of the press, and aim to mislead the public.
SHARING MUST BE CORRECTED
It is necessary to correct the shares that are defamatory to my personal rights and that target the public service and work we carry out with dignity, based on the Constitution and press law.
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