26.08.2026 11:41
Ertan Yildiz, the chairman of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Assembly's Affiliates and Subsidiaries Commission, who is a defendant on bail and has benefited from the provisions of effective remorse in his defense in the IMM case, responded to former CHP Member of Parliament Aykut Erdogan's question, 'In my testimony, I said, 'I will call, I will bring a donation of 1 million dollars.' Was this a donation or a bribe?' by saying, 'The court panel will decide on this.'
Ertan Yildiz, who is making a defense in the IMM case and serves as the President of the IMM Council Subsidiaries and Affiliated Organizations Commission, responded to former CHP Deputy Aykut Erdogan's question, "In my statement, I said 'I will call, I will bring a 1 million dollar donation.' Was this a donation or a bribe?" with, "The court panel will decide on this."
ERTAN YILDIZ PRESENTED HIS DEFENSE
On the 5th day of the second hearing of the "Ekrem Imamoglu Criminal Organization for Profit" case, Ertan Yildiz, the President of the IMM Council Subsidiaries and Affiliated Organizations Commission, who was released under judicial control during the investigation phase by benefiting from the provisions of active remorse, completed his defense. After the defense, questions were directed to the defendant by other detained defendants.
"RESPONSIBLE FOR SO MANY SUBSIDIARIES BUT NOT INTERESTED IN TENDERS"
At the hearing, detained defendant Murat Ongun, Chairman of the Board of Media A.S., regarding the defendant Yildiz's statement, "Murat Ongun called me and invited me to breakfast at Bebek Hotel. The advertising spaces tender was discussed, and Ilbaklar and Murat Ongun agreed on 10 percent," said, "If we look at your statement, including you, we have rigged the tender." Yildiz replied, "I did not know I was invited regarding this issue." Upon this, Ongun said, "I am filing a criminal complaint against Fatih Keles, Ertan Yildiz, and the owners of Ilbak Holding, and I request an investigation into the tender."
IMAMOGLU TO YILDIZ: YOU WERE LAZY
At the hearing, following Ongun, detained defendant Ekrem Imamoglu directed a question to Ertan Yildiz. Defendant Imamoglu asked, "Did you provide any information saying, 'The company is mine, but others run it'?" Yildiz stated he did not want to answer this question. Imamoglu said, "He claimed that I was the secret owner of a company. I want to remind him of this." Yildiz said, "I do not want to answer."
Regarding the claims that Ekrem Imamoglu cut ties with IMM in 2024, he asked defendant Ertan Yildiz, "You said, 'I cut my ties with IMM after the 2024 election.' When did you leave IYA, which is an IMM subsidiary?" Yildiz said, "I was the chairman of IYA when I was arrested." Upon this, Imamoglu said, "So you never cut your ties with IMM. You were responsible for IYA and other subsidiaries. Didn't you have meetings with the subsidiaries every two weeks?" Yildiz said, "I held meetings twice." Imamoglu then said, "So you were lazy."
Regarding Yildiz's claim about illegal dumping at the Cebeci mining site, Imamoglu stated, "As the chief advisor responsible for subsidiaries and Chairman of the Board of KIPTAS, you were present at every executive meeting. I never heard anything from you about illegal dumping."
"DID I SAY 'WILL I BRING A DONATION OR A BRIBE?'"
Answer "Yes" to the question "Did Ekrem Imamoglu make the agreement to bring 1 million lira?"
Former CHP Deputy Aykut Erdogan also directed questions to defendant Yildiz. Erdogan asked Yildiz, "In my statement, I said, 'I will call, I will bring a 1 million dollar donation.' Was this a donation or a bribe?" Yildiz said, "The court panel will decide on this."
Upon Erdogan's statements, "Did I say 'Will I bring a donation or a bribe?'" defendant Yildiz said, "You said, 'They can bring around 1 million dollars, they can give money.'"
Erdogan said, "I said, 'They can give around 1 million dollars.' I have been in prison for 15 months because of this single incident. That's why details are important. You call me beforehand and say '1 million dollar donation'" Yildiz interjected, saying, "It wasn't a phone call, it was a meeting. I remember we had a meeting. I did not make an agreement with you. I said, 'I need to speak with the President about this.'"
"I DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU SAY"
Upon this, Erdogan told the defendant, "If 1 million dollars is not a donation, it is a bribe. You are at the head of that matter. I told you, 'They can bring 1 million dollars.' You told me, 'Let me talk to the president.' In your first statement, you say, 'There is both company benefit and he took a bribe. Aykut Erdogan called me and said, 'These are very good people, very decent people. They also helped the CHP. They will also donate 1 million dollars.' Then you said, 'Aykut Erdogan brought 1 million 200 thousand dollars in a bag, and then Fatih Keles took it.' There is a great public interest here. So you are saying that in a matter of public interest, there can be bribery. If such a thing exists, you are right in the middle of the bribery agreement. An agreement to bring 1 million lira is in question there. According to you, did Ekrem Imamoglu make this agreement with me?" Defendant Yildiz, who answered "Yes," said, "Why did you bring the money? If there is only company benefit."
Erdogan said, "I did not bring money. You are the one saying that." Yildiz said, "I am saying everything. Why do you believe half and not the other half?" Upon this, Aykut Erdogan said, "I don't believe anything you say."
"I HAVE BEEN IN A CELL FOR 15 MONTHS FOR A SINGLE CRIME"
Erdogan asked, "If Ekrem Imamoglu received a donation or bribe in a transaction, is it in the ordinary course of life for the practice to be carried out?" Yildiz said, "We looked after the company's interests." Upon this, Erdogan said, "Did you look after the interests whether he took a bribe or a donation in this matter?" Yildiz said, "If I could get 20 percent, I would have taken 20 percent. There were constant problems between the two companies we contracted with for garbage collection, and ISTAC was constantly experiencing difficulties because of this."
Upon this, Erdogan said, "I have been in prison for 15 months just because of this incident. I have already served four times my sentence. There is no organization against me either. I have been in a cell for 15 months for a single crime. I do not forgive you. Ertan Yildiz must be arrested. The prosecutor's office should request his arrest. If the travel ban is lifted and he flees in Turkey's most important case, our rights, the rights of 400 people, will remain with the court."
The hearing continues with questions directed at Ertan Yildiz.