31.10.2025 00:24
The leader of the CHP, Özgür Özel, commented on the claim that Muhittin Böcek, who was suspended from his position after being arrested in the 'corruption' investigation concerning the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, made a 'effective remorse' application, saying, "Those who leaked this to the press are right here. The chief prosecutor there doesn't even know about it. They are sending people to Muhittin Böcek, telling him, 'slander the CHP.'"
CHP General Chairman Özgür Özel attended the "Defending the Will of the Nation" rally organized by his party in the Esenyurt district of Istanbul.
"THEY ARE SENDING PEOPLE TO MUHİTTİN BÖCEK" Addressing the party members gathered at Cumhuriyet Square, Özel also spoke about the claim that Muhittin Böcek, who was suspended from his position after being arrested in the 'corruption' investigation against the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, applied to benefit from the 'effective remorse' provisions to give a statement. Özel stated regarding the claim, which Böcek also denied, "Those who leaked that he would be an informant to the press are here. The chief prosecutor there doesn't even know. They are sending people to Muhittin Böcek, telling him to 'slander the CHP'."
"I AM COMPLAINING TO GOD ABOUT THOSE WHO PRESENTED THIS UNETHICAL OFFER TO MUHİTTİN BEY, I AM COMPLAINING TO THE NATION" Özel's statements regarding the issue are as follows: "They said that the Mayor of Antalya, Muhittin Böcek, has supposedly become an informant. What will Muhittin Böcek confess! Muhittin Böcek made a statement, saying, 'I take 14 medications a day. I constantly face life-threatening difficulties.' He spent 120 days in intensive care during Covid, and was intubated for 104 days. This person is struggling for his life, and they shamelessly slander him. Then we learned that this 'AK Toroslar' gang goes all the way there. Those who leaked to the press yesterday that he would be an informant are also here. The chief prosecutor there doesn't even know. They are sending people to Muhittin Böcek from here, telling him to 'slander the CHP, say these things to tarnish the CHP.' They think that since we are not leaving them alone, they are making a move from here to Antalya. Muhittin Bey wrote under the slander document brought to him, 'I was the current mayor. There was nothing more natural than my candidacy. My party looked at the poll, made its decision, and nominated me. I cannot slander anyone. My health does not allow it, but my ethics do not allow me to do what you say.' I am complaining to God about those who presented this unethical offer to Muhittin Bey, those who tested him and his family with his health, those who left Mehmet Murat Çalık defenseless against cancer in prison cells, and those who laid our deputy mayor on the ground in Paşakapısı instead of changing his heart valve. I am complaining to the nation, and I sincerely believe that you will settle their accounts in the next election."
MUHİTTİN BÖCEK HAD DENIED After being suspended from his position following his arrest in the 'corruption' investigation against the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, Muhittin Böcek had denied the claim that he submitted a petition to the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to benefit from effective remorse. In a handwritten statement made through his lawyers, Böcek expressed that he was experiencing health issues, stating, "These unfounded news have upset me. I have not made any application regarding the investigation conducted by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office as mentioned in the news."
HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN JULY Böcek had applied to the infirmary of the Döşemealtı L-Type Penal Institution where he was detained last July. Böcek, who was reported to have a heart condition, was taken to Antalya City Hospital by ambulance. It was stated that Böcek's examinations were conducted, his health condition was good, and he would be taken back to prison.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED? In the "bribery" and "corruption" investigation coordinated by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Muhittin Böcek and his former daughter-in-law Z. K. were detained on July 5, while Böcek's son, suspect Mustafa Gökhan Böcek, was determined to be abroad. On the same day, Muhittin Böcek, who was referred to the courthouse, was arrested, while his former daughter-in-law Z. K. was released under judicial control with a travel ban. Following the decision, Muhittin Böcek was suspended from his position by the Ministry of Interior.
Muhittin Böcek's daughter-in-law Zuhal Böcek, who returned from abroad, was also caught at the airport on July 27 on the charge of "money laundering from crime" and was arrested.
As part of the investigation, 17 people were detained in a simultaneous operation conducted on addresses determined on August 12, of which 2 were released after their procedures at the police, while 8 of the 15 suspects referred to the courthouse were arrested, 5 were released under judicial control, and 2 were released after their statements to the prosecutor's office.
It was claimed that A. A, B. Ç, M. Y, and Y. Y, who received contracts from the Metropolitan Municipality, paid a bribe of 195 million lira to Muhittin Böcek and his son Mustafa Gökhan Böcek to receive their payments. It was reported that a currency exchange office, where the bribe money was allegedly deposited, and 2 jewelry businesses where this money was allegedly converted into gold were appointed as trustees.
Mustafa Gökhan Böcek was also detained and arrested on August 19 when he arrived at Antalya Airport from Vienna. During the ongoing investigation, İlker Arslan, who was suspended from his position at the Antalya Police Department and surrendered after a detention order was issued against him, and businessman F. A. were also arrested on September 7.
In an operation conducted by police teams on September 10, 21 suspects were detained, including businessman M. E. H, the owner of Kanal V television, M.
O. K, former Deputy Secretary General of the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, T. S, the director of the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality company ANT Tepe, I. E., and sales staff L. Ş. have been arrested, while 3 individuals, including Böcek's former daughter-in-law Z. K, have been released under judicial control. M. E. H, T. S., and I. E., who benefited from the effective remorse provisions, were released on September 27.