Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akın Gürlek: The first person to learn about the operation was Murat Kapki.

01.09.2025 23:24

After the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 Judicial Year, Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek held a meeting with reporters and made noteworthy statements regarding the 'corruption' investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB). Gürlek stated that the first person to learn about the operation was businessman Murat Kapki, saying, "We don't know how he found out. Once he started to move those goods, we took action."

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After the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 Judicial Year, Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek held a meeting with reporters at the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan, where he made striking statements regarding the 'corruption' investigation against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM).

"THE FIRST PERSON TO LEARN ABOUT THE OPERATION WAS MURAT KAPKİ"

Gürlek stated that the first person to learn about the operation was businessman Murat Kapki. Noting that Kapki transferred 8 of his assets in one day, Chief Prosecutor Gürlek said, "We do not know how he learned about it. Once he started to move those assets, we took action."

"THE INDICTMENT OF BEŞİKTAŞ MUNICIPALITY WILL BE READY IN SEPTEMBER"

Gürlek announced that the indictment of Beşiktaş Municipality will be prepared due to the investigation of businessman Aziz İhsan Aktaş, which was the reason for the arrest of many individuals based on the statements he provided to benefit from effective remorse. Gürlek stated that the Beşiktaş Municipality indictment will be ready in September, while other indictments will be completed in October.

"WE ARE CONFIDENT IN OUR FILE"

In response to the question about whether the hearings of the IMM investigation will be "broadcast live on TRT," Gürlek said, "There is no article in our law regarding the live broadcasting of hearings. If a regulation is made, it can happen, of course. We are confident in our file."

"THERE IS NO DETAINEE BASED SOLELY ON WITNESS TESTIMONY"

Gürlek also stated, "In the IMM investigation, there is no detainee based solely on witness testimony. We must have substantiated it with some evidence. If there is, let me know, and I will release them the next day."

"THE BIGGEST CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION OF THE CENTURY. WE ARE CONDUCTING IT WITH THE SENSITIVITY OF A JEWELER, THIS IS WHY THE PROCESS IS TAKING LONGER"

In response to the question of whether new operations will come, Gürlek said, "The investigation is not yet complete. As confessions come in, the investigation is expanding. This is the biggest corruption investigation of the century. We did not take a break during the judicial recess. Everyone is aware of their responsibilities. We are conducting the investigation with the sensitivity of a jeweler, which is why the process is taking longer."

"THEY ARE PRESSURING SO THAT THEY DO NOT BECOME INFORMANTS"

Denying allegations that pressure was applied to detainees to benefit from effective remorse, Gürlek said, "They come and say, 'I want to benefit from effective remorse.' They constantly come, they are waiting at the doors."

"THE SOLUTION PROCESS WILL NOT AFFECT THE TRIAL"

In response to the question, "Will the solution process affect the trial process?" Gürlek stated, "We support this process, but it will not affect the trial." He also mentioned that a red notice has been issued for Murat Gülibrahimoğlu and Emrah Bağdatlı, who are in a "fugitive" status in the IMM investigation.