26.06.2025 14:42
As part of the "Corruption" investigation conducted against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), İSTAÇ Board Chairman Ziya Gökmen Togay became a whistleblower by benefiting from the provisions of effective remorse. In his statement, Togay claimed that the Istanbul Management Agency was established for unofficial activities, stating, "Although some personnel did not appear officially, they continued to work here."
As part of the "Corruption" investigation conducted against the İBB, İSTAÇ Board Chairman Ziya Gökmen Togay became a whistleblower by benefiting from the effective remorse provisions.
"THIS STRUCTURE WAS INFORMAL AND UNCONTROLLED"
Togay stated in his testimony under effective remorse, "The advisor responsible for the subsidiaries was Ertan Yıldız. Ertan Yıldız had established a structure consisting of 6 coordinators, which included subsidiary employees. All board decisions (purchases, tender announcements, tender results, appointments, promotions, financial processes, union processes, etc.) were approved by Ertan Yıldız through these coordinators and then presented for the board's signature. The İBB stamp placed on the decisions symbolized Ertan Yıldız's approval. This structure continued in this way until about 1.5 years ago. However, it was an informal and uncontrolled structure without a legal basis. Although about 70-80 people working here seemed to be employed in different subsidiaries, they were actually present here," he said.
"SOME PERSONNEL CONTINUED TO WORK EVEN IF NOT OFFICIALLY VISIBLE"
Togay stated in his testimony to the prosecutor's office, "About 1.5 years ago, the Istanbul Management Agency (İYA) was established. The 6 coordinators I mentioned and many personnel were transferred to this agency. Some personnel continued to work here even if they were not officially visible. The reason for formalizing this structure is that many people, including myself, felt discomfort due to the illegal nature of the processes conducted informally over tenders. After the agency was established, consultancy contracts were signed with İBB subsidiaries, and the structure gained formality. A few months after starting the job, Ertan Yıldız and Fatih Keleş requested to be informed in advance about upcoming tenders. This information began to be communicated about a month in advance, including details such as the type of tender, approximate cost, and which company had previously won, first via WhatsApp and then in a sealed envelope," he said.
"I HAD NO POSSIBILITY TO INTERVENE, BUT I FELT UNCOMFORTABLE"
Togay stated, "In 2022, I was appointed as the General Manager of İSTAÇ A.Ş. The reason for my appointment was my successful management at İSTON and the increase in the company's profitability. One of İSTAÇ's activities is the management of excavation and dumping areas. When I started my job, I noticed a decline in revenues from these areas in 2021-2022. The reason was the dumping areas in the Cebeci region, which were not managed by İSTAÇ. I was aware of the history of the South and North Cebeci regions. Before 2018, these areas were operated by many private companies with mining licenses. Since rehabilitation processes were not carried out, the areas became dangerous for public safety and were sealed. In 2018, İSFALT was also involved, and rehabilitation and dumping processes were initiated. İSTAÇ had no activity in South Cebeci. The operations in this region were carried out by MAPEG, the Environmental Protection Department, and İSFALT. İSTAÇ was only operating under a consultancy contract with a North Istanbul company (owned by Murat Gülibrahimoğlu). The licensing processes for the relevant areas were managed by Fatih Keleş. Therefore, the areas were controlled by people acting with him. I had no possibility to intervene, but I felt uncomfortable. For this reason, I made attempts for İSTAÇ to operate the dumping areas, and İSTAÇ started operating 3 sites. This situation led to a reaction from Fatih Keleş and Murat Gülibrahimoğlu," he said.
"I AM NOT AWARE OF THE PAYMENTS"
Togay continued in his statement, "When I started my job, the Sarılar company was working with İSTAÇ. Ertan Yıldız had instructed that no payment should be made to this company without his knowledge. From time to time, he would call me, saying that the company was in financial trouble and that payment needed to be made, and sometimes he would say, 'I will send someone in a few days, inform the company.' I only conveyed this information to İsmail Sarı. I did not know who the person going was or what they were doing. I thought it was related to the fact that this company was a vehicle rental company and that Ertan Yıldız was obtaining vehicles from this company. A person named Ahmet Yıldırım is İSTAÇ personnel. I did not send him to Sarılar. If he went, he may have been directed by Ertan Yıldız's driver, Bayram. Fatih Keleş also sometimes had instructions for payments to be made to this company. Other than this company, I have not received any payment instructions for any other company at İSTON or İSTAÇ. I am not aware of the payments mentioned in the statement of the Sarılar company in any way. Although I may appear to have facilitated a bribe in these incidents, I am only now learning what those people were sent for. During my tenure, I did not send any invitation to tender to any company, nor did I give any privilege to any company in tenders. Even if I had received such an instruction, it was known that I would not fulfill it. Therefore, tender announcement information may have been sought from me. No priority was given to any company in the preparation of specifications. If it had been given, the Sarılar company would have won all the tenders. Upon investigation, it will be seen that this company lost many tenders. Most of the specifications are texts from previous periods that have not been changed," he said.
"I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY CRIME DURING MY TENURE"
Togay stated, "A company had taken over the operation of a waste recycling facility at İSTAÇ before I started my job. However, I found that it had not fulfilled some of its contractual obligations and had not made some investments. The company was warned, and written notices were issued. Even the termination of the contract was on the agenda. During this process, Aykut Erdoğdu visited me, saying that the company was a good company and was experiencing victimization. I explained the reasons for the warnings with written records. The company then made the necessary investments and continued its operations. Throughout my tenure, I have not been involved in any crime as I have described here. I have not been part of any organizational hierarchy. It is not possible for me to be associated with this structure. I was appointed to management due to my resume," he said.