14.03.2025 19:31
Former Sarıyer Mayor Şükrü Genç was arrested on charges of providing financial support to the DHKP-C terrorist organization.
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Former Sarıyer Mayor Şükrü Genç, who was detained on charges of providing financial support to the terrorist organization DHKP/C, has been arrested and sent to prison.
ŞÜKRÜ GENÇ ARRESTED IN TERROR INVESTIGATION In Istanbul, as part of an investigation into the allegation that 4 district municipalities transferred money to the terrorist organization DHKP/C between 2014-2015, 26 suspects, including former Sarıyer Mayor Şükrü Genç, were referred to the peace court with a request for arrest. Genç was arrested by the court he was brought before.
"I DID NOT PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION" In his statement, which was about 30 pages long, Genç was asked whether he provided any financial support to the DHKP-C armed terrorist organization. Rejecting the allegations, Şükrü Genç stated, "I did not provide financial support to the terrorist organization. It was reported to us by state institutions that there was a building in the neighborhood formerly known as Armutlu and now called Baltalimanı, which was built on behalf of the organization and that there was a demolition order for this building. Following this, a date was set among the institutions, including the İBB (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality) and the Sarıyer Municipality, which I was presiding over at the time, along with the security forces, for the demolition of the building constructed on behalf of the organization. On the day of the demolition, the İBB vehicles did not participate in the demolition, citing that they were out of order and did not send any vehicles. The demolition of the building belonging to the organization in the specified neighborhood was carried out with vehicles belonging to the Sarıyer District Municipality, which I presided over, under the escort of the security forces. My residence address is also close to the building that was demolished." he said.
"THEY TOLD ME 'YOUR NAME IS ON THE ORGANIZATION'S DEATH LIST'" In his statement, Genç, who noted that he was always in close contact with the public due to being the mayor, said, "After the demolition, on a day I do not remember exactly, while I was visiting tradesmen, a tradesman came to me and said regarding a building we demolished, referring to me, 'Your name has been put on the organization's death list. Be careful.'" he stated.
Former Sarıyer Mayor Şükrü Genç "THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ASSIGNED A PROTECTION POLICE TO ME" Genç stated in his testimony that he conveyed this information to the Sarıyer District Police Department at that time, saying, "In a conversation we had, the District Police Chief told me that my house was being monitored by the organization and that they would take precautions around my residence. After these incidents, a protection police was assigned to me by the Istanbul Governor's Office." he said.
"I WAS A TARGET OF THIS ORGANIZATION" Regarding the allegations of transferring money to the organization, Genç stated, "I absolutely did not give any money to any organization or its members, neither in my name nor in the name of the municipality. Such money was definitely not paid. These allegations are unfounded. Moreover, I was a target of this organization. For this reason, I was under state protection." he said.
"I DID NOT PROVIDE ANY VEHICLE TO ANY ORGANIZATION" Genç was also asked whether he allocated vehicles from the municipality for the organizations organized by the DHKP-C terrorist organization. Genç responded to this question, saying, "During my term as mayor, I did not provide any vehicle to any organization or illegal organization."
"I AM A TURKISH CITIZEN WHO LOVES MY COUNTRY AND MY PEOPLE" At the end of his statement, Şükrü Genç said, "I believe that I have fulfilled my duty as a mayor for about 15 years with dignity. It is out of the question for me to help an organization of which I am a target. I am a Turkish citizen who loves my country and my people." he stated.
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