20.06.2026 19:01
New details have emerged in the bribery and corruption investigation targeting the İzmir Seferihisar Municipality. The differences between the defense of Özlem Akyılmaz, advisor to CHP Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba, who made statements regarding money transfers included in the MASAK reports and the testimony records in the investigation file, and some statements in the file drew attention.
In the corruption and bribery investigation targeting İzmir Seferihisar Municipality, the statements given to the prosecutor's office and police by Özlem Akyılmaz, advisor to CHP Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba, as well as the money transfers included in MASAK reports, have been added to the investigation file. The differing statements of the parties regarding various money movements drew attention in the file.
Commenting on the money movements specified in the MASAK reports included in the investigation file, Akyılmaz claimed that the funds deposited into her account were sent as scholarships for earthquake-affected students in Malatya.
"I DON'T KNOW THEM" AND RELATED ALLEGATIONS
Journalist Evrim Ataman, who gave a statement within the scope of the investigation benefiting from the provisions of effective remorse, claimed that 500,000 TL of the money received in the process regarding the İyonya Konakları project in Seferihisar was sent to Özlem Akyılmaz's account upon the direction of Deputy Mayor İbrahim Gökhan Pehlivan.
Özlem Akyılmaz, in her statement, declared that she does not know Evrim Ataman, contractor Sönmez Budak, and İbrahim Gökhan Pehlivan. Akyılmaz claimed that the 500,000 TL deposited into her account was part of the scholarship support sent for earthquake-affected students.
TRANSFER PROCESS OF THE 500,000 TL
According to the MASAK records in the file, it was determined that the 500,000 TL sent to Özlem Akyılmaz's account was transferred to the account of CHP Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba approximately 1.5 hours later.
In her statement, Akyılmaz argued that Veli Ağbaba conducted some banking transactions from her phone, and the transfer was made this way due to limit issues in payments for the students. She claimed that the money was later delivered to the students.
NERMİN GÜNAY'S STATEMENT IN THE FILE
According to MASAK records, it was also noted that 500,000 TL was sent to Özlem Akyılmaz's account by Nermin Günay, wife of suspended Güzelbahçe Mayor Mustafa Günay.
Özlem Akyılmaz stated that this money was also sent as part of the scholarship support for earthquake-affected students. However, in the statement of Nermin Günay included in the investigation file, it was indicated that the said money was sent for use in election campaign activities, vehicle rental, and election office expenses.
It was learned that these two different statements in the file are being evaluated within the scope of the investigation.
EXPLANATION REGARDING THE PHONE PASSWORD
Within the scope of the investigation, digital materials are also being examined. Özlem Akyılmaz cited managing Veli Ağbaba's social media accounts and having private photos on the device as the reason for not sharing her mobile phone password.
The process regarding the examination of the said phone within the scope of the investigation continues.
DEFENSE FROM THE LAWYER
Özlem Akyılmaz's lawyer Murat Aydın argued that his client does not hold the status of a public official. Aydın also objected to the allegations by drawing attention to the fact that the money transfers in the file were carried out through bank records.
It was learned that examinations on MASAK reports, statement records, bank transactions, and digital materials continue within the scope of the investigation.