10.05.2025 17:43
A detention warrant has been issued for the fugitive suspect Murat Gülibrahimoğlu, a businessman whose assets were previously seized as part of a corruption investigation against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Gülibrahimoğlu is alleged to have monopolized excavation and dumping operations, and it has been claimed that he caused the municipality a monthly loss of 1.5 billion Turkish lira.
In the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a corruption investigation is ongoing against suspects, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was removed from his position as the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) after his arrest, on charges of "being a leader of a criminal organization," "being a member of a criminal organization," "bribery," "qualified fraud," "illegally obtaining personal data," and "interfering with a tender."
ARREST WARRANT FOR FUGITIVE MURAT GÜLIBRAHİMOĞLU An arrest warrant was issued for the fugitive suspect Murat Gülibrahimoğlu, who has a detention order against him in the investigation, on charges of "being a member of a criminal organization," "concealing the illicit source of assets," and "violating the Tax Procedure Law."
Murat Gülibrahimoğlu HIS ASSETS HAD BEEN SEIZED It was determined that the suspect Gülibrahimoğlu had kept the income obtained from the crime in his own accounts and in the accounts of his first and second-degree relatives. To prevent the transfer or sale of the suspect's assets, as well as the concealment of money and valuable items such as gold in personal safes within banks, a decision was made to seize Gülibrahimoğlu's company's assets, cryptocurrency, and bank accounts.
"EXCAVATION DUMPING WORKS WERE MONOPOLIZED AND GIVEN TO GÜLIBRAHİMOĞLU" In the investigation, a witness named Ö.K., who stated that he had been involved in construction, excavation, and mining for many years, made the following claims about Gülibrahimoğlu: "About 6 years ago, excavation dumping works in Istanbul were suddenly monopolized and given to a person named Murat Gülibrahimoğlu. Due to the monopoly in the dumping area, exorbitant prices are being charged, and people are being victimized. The job of constructing a special barrier for this person was given by ISFALT, even though the area did not initially have a dumping site. He earned significant income by performing these barrier works at exorbitant prices. In this area, where the barrier construction processes are ongoing, dumping permits were granted to Murat Gülibrahimoğlu, and the control of the dumping sites, which should have been under the municipality's jurisdiction, was completely handed over to this person."
"INVOICES ARE BEING ISSUED USING FAKE INVOICE TECHNIQUES" Ö.K. explained that the excavation and dumping works were previously under the municipality's jurisdiction, stating, "The excavation money is deposited into the municipality's account, and while the person who is a partner in the dumping site takes his money from there, currently all the money deposits are being made into this person's account. It will be seen from the investigations of the deposited amounts that they are being taken out using fake invoice techniques. A hollow company is being filled using this method, both tax evasion is occurring, and cash flow is being provided to Fatih Keleş and Tuncay Yılmaz, who are constantly with him. Murat Gülibrahimoğlu went abroad at the beginning of March and is currently continuing his work." he said.
"A MONTHLY LOSS OF 1.5 BILLION LIRA OCCURRED IN IBB'S REVENUES" Ö.K. claimed that Gülibrahimoğlu's company was conducting stone crushing operations by occupying forest land, stating: "As a result of this monopolization, many people in Istanbul are being victimized. Firms that receive work from municipal subsidiaries are being directed to buy gravel from this company. There are also many irregular transactions taking place at the sand pit in Çiftalan. The municipality is turning a blind eye to all of these activities and is obtaining benefits through Fatih Keleş and Tuncay Yılmaz. As a result of the municipality transferring this area, which has been a significant source of income for IBB for many years, to a single individual, there has been a monthly loss of approximately 1.5 billion lira in municipal revenues. This loss is not only the municipality's but also the loss of all Istanbul residents."