28.09.2025 18:50
In the bribery and corruption operation targeting the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, a businessman claimed that Muhittin Böcek asked him for money during the local election period. In his statement, the businessman said, "Böcek's son said, 'We are in the election period; if you don't support us, I will hold you accountable once we are elected.' I gave 1 million TL in cash and 150 fuel cards worth 1 million TL in a black bag."
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New statements and allegations have been reflected in the minutes of the bribery and corruption investigation against the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. Three informants included in the investigation file claimed that bribes were taken from businessmen under pressure and threats, while according to the statements recorded, millions of lira were transported in black bags, and luxury vehicles and real estate were entrusted to bureaucrats.
ALLEGATION OF "BRIBERY" RELATED TO MUHITTIN BÖCEK
New statements and allegations have been included in the minutes of the bribery and corruption investigation against the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. Regarding the bribery exchange, businessman Emin H. stated in his testimony that Muhittin Böcek called him via WhatsApp asking for support in the local elections of the municipality. The businessman, who stated that he did not give a "positive" or "negative" response, later reported that Böcek's son came to him asking for financial support in the elections.
"IF YOU DON'T SUPPORT, I WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE ONCE ELECTED"
Upon this, Emin H. stated that he called Muhittin Böcek and summoned him to his office at AKM, and Böcek told him, "We are in the election period, if you don't support, I will hold you accountable once elected. All your businesses go through the metropolitan municipality. From now on, you will do whatever Gökhan says." After this meeting, Gökhan Böcek, the son of Böcek, came to Emin H.'s workplace and requested 1 million TL in cash and 150 fuel cards worth 1 million TL. The businessman explained that he delivered these payments in black bags.
ALLEGATION OF "1 MILLION TL AND LAND ROVER IN EXCHANGE FOR LICENSE"
Businessman Emin H. claimed that the license for the fuel station he wanted to establish in Kepez was also given in exchange for a bribe. Emin H. stated, "Serkan T. and Gökhan Böcek asked for 1 million TL in cash to obtain the license. They also said that the process would not proceed without giving the '07 A ... plated Land Rover' vehicle to Gökhan Böcek." He explained that he provided the vehicle through financial leasing, did not transfer ownership, and later initiated enforcement proceedings. He also mentioned that an additional 1 million TL was requested for Serkan T.'s child's school expenses, of which 600,000 TL was given in cash in December 2024, and the remaining amount was delivered in black bags a few days later. Emin H. stated, "A week after the payment, my license, which had been pending for 7 months, was approved."
ALLEGATION OF BRIBERY CYCLE
Businessman Emin H. concluded his statement with the following words: "I did not commit any crime. I gave my testimony under pressure and threats. I only trust my state. I am sharing everything I know to reveal the injustices happening in Antalya." The businessman also reported that he was subjected to pressure for his investment in Altınova. He claimed that Gökhan Böcek threatened him by saying, "No one can do business in this city without my father's knowledge"; he was forced to work with a team directed by the municipality instead of the planner he chose.
Tuncay S., a former deputy mayor who worked in the municipality for 25 years, explained how the bribery exchange operated. He stated that money was collected in bags from contractors "for the election," and that 3 shops in the urban transformation of Güneş Neighborhood were given to Böcek, while 2 shops were given to bureaucrats, and that apartments and shops were transferred and hidden through entrusted names.
Tuncay S. described the system of receiving bribes as follows: "Contractors with business in the municipality are regularly asked for money under the name of 'aid/donation'; the money is sometimes handed directly to the mayor, sometimes through a foundation/association receipt, and sometimes directed through close associates who are said to be 'cashiers'."
Tuncay S. also noted that some names were used as intermediaries/channels in these flows. He further stated in his testimony that if the "extraordinary profit-generating zoning plan amendments" and "early/heavy payment requests" during the metropolitan period were investigated, it would be possible to reach the sources of bribery. Tuncay S. said, "For years, I collected bribe money at the president's instruction and delivered it directly to him in black bags."
STRIKING DETAIL ABOUT "MUHARREM İNCE"
The most striking part of Tuncay S.'s testimony was related to the 2018 presidential elections. According to his claim, Muhittin Böcek called him and asked him to collect 200,000 TL from contractors doing business with the municipality to help the CHP candidate Muharrem İnce. After collecting the money, Tuncay S. stated that he took it to Böcek's office; there he encountered a young person, later learning that this was Salih A. İ., the son of Muharrem İnce.
Tuncay S. claimed that he handed the money to Salih A. İ. in a file bag, and that he put it in a backpack he had with him. He stated that this incident was particularly shown to him, and he thought Böcek wanted to see it with his own eyes. He also emphasized that he did not know whether this money was really for election assistance or in exchange for another political promise; however, he stressed that it was definitely money collected from contractors.
"THE TITLE DEED IS IN MY NAME, THE PROPERTIES BELONG TO BÖCEK"
Former ANTEPE manager İsmail E. explained the system established through property transfers. İsmail E. stated that a 3.5-acre land in Kemer was transferred to his name in 2004, but actually belonged to Böcek, that an apartment in the Oriza Park Site in Konyaaltı was registered in his name in 2016, but the real owner was Böcek, and that a house he bought for 650,000 TL in 2020 also belonged to Böcek, and that 5 shops obtained from a construction company in 2023 were given to Böcek and Serkan T. for election expenses. İsmail E. said, "I am just a front; my name is on the title deed, but the properties belong to Böcek."
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