Here is the statement of Zeydan Karalar, who was arrested.

08.07.2025 23:40

The statement of Zeydan Karalar, the Mayor of Adana Metropolitan Municipality who was arrested in a corruption investigation, has emerged. In his statement, Karalar said, "I know Baki Nugay because he is the contractor of the municipality. The company received contracts during the previous AK Party period, and when I was elected mayor, it continued to work with our municipality. When the payment documents are examined, it will be seen whether the payments were received late or not."

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The corruption investigation against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the investigation into the criminal organization allegedly led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, and the investigation initiated regarding the Büyükçekmece Municipality are ongoing.

ZEYDAN KARALAR ARRESTED

In this context, the judicial proceedings of Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zeydan Karalar, Adıyaman Deputy Mayor Ceyhan Kayhan, Rabil Artan, Özcan Zenger, Kazım Gökhan Yankılıç, and Burak Kangal, who were detained in the corruption investigation against the criminal organization led by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, have been completed. The peace criminal court decided to arrest the suspects.

KARALAR: THE COMPANY CONTINUED TO WORK WITH THE MUNICIPALITY AFTER I WAS ELECTED AS MAYOR

The statement given by Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zeydan Karalar to the prosecutor's office has emerged. In his statement, Zeydan Karalar said, "I know Baki Nugay because he is the contractor of the municipality. He came to my office to meet. In this meeting, the issue of money being demanded in return for payments, as alleged, was not discussed; it is completely slander. The company was awarded a contract during the previous AK Party period and continued to work with our municipality after I was elected as mayor. We tried to make payments without delay in the same way as they were made in the previous period. When the payment documents are examined, it will be seen whether they received payments late or not. There is no coercion involved. Baki Nugay stated that he left the partnership in 2016 and claimed that he gave money in 2019. This issue is clearly inconsistent. It is not in line with the normal course of life and logic for someone who has left a partnership to give money in an ongoing project," he said.

Karalar continued his statement by saying: "A tender related to transportation was held at the end of 2014 in our municipality, but the tender was canceled due to the inability to ensure competition. Later, the tender held at the beginning of 2015 was won by the Barka and Albayrak joint venture, but this tender was also canceled by the Public Procurement Authority. Subsequently, I remember that a contract was signed with Barka - Albayrak companies following the annulment of the KIK decision by the court. There was no agreement with the company before the tender."

"I THINK HE DID NOT GIVE A HEALTHY STATEMENT DUE TO PRISON CONDITIONS"

Özcan Zenger was responsible for cleaning works. It is normal for him to meet with company officials due to his duties. However, I do not know why he met with company officials on the dates mentioned in the file and alleged to have given money; he is the one who should answer this question, and I do not know their relationship. I have not given him any instructions. I have not directed company officials to anyone. I think Baki Nugay did not give a healthy statement due to prison conditions.

I have been serving as mayor for about 12 years. I am currently the Deputy Chairman of the Union of Municipalities. I have also held senior positions before. I am someone who can come when called. Given this situation, being held in unhealthy conditions for 4 days is not in accordance with the law and conscience. I believe this operation is a political operation. I do not accept the accusations."