02.09.2026 23:20
Former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek, who was investigated over allegations of 'transferring unregistered money to companies abroad' and summoned to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to testify as a suspect, announced that he filed a criminal complaint against journalist Murat Ağırel. In his statement on the matter, Gökçek said, 'Our faith in law and justice is complete.'
Former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ibrahim Melih Gokcek, against whom an investigation was launched on allegations of "transferring unregistered money to companies abroad" and who was summoned to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to testify as a suspect, announced that he filed a criminal complaint against journalist Murat Agirel.
"THE ALLEGATIONS DO NOT REFLECT THE TRUTH AND ARE COMPLETELY UNFOUNDED"
In a statement on his social media account regarding the issue, Gokcek said: "A second statement has become necessary regarding the baseless allegations recently attributed to me by Murat Agirel, which have caused public controversy, claiming that there are 23 properties registered in my name. First of all, I would like to state that these allegations do not reflect the truth and are completely unfounded. The claims that there are 23 properties registered in my name are not based on land registry records. Such allegations constitute an effort to create a false perception in the public by targeting me and my family.
"OUR FAITH IN LAW AND JUSTICE IS COMPLETE"
All my assets and properties are transparently available in e-Government records. When e-Government records are accessed, it will be clearly seen that no such situation exists. Our faith in law and justice is complete. A formal criminal complaint has been filed against Murat Agirel for the punishment of those who make such baseless and slanderous allegations, within the scope of the Turkish Penal Code and other relevant legislation, in order to protect our personal rights."
WHAT HAPPENED?
On August 29, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an ex officio investigation into former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gokcek regarding allegations of "transferring unregistered money to companies abroad."
In the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office statement, it was stated: "Regarding the allegations put forward in some press and media outlets that unregistered money was transferred to companies abroad by Ibrahim Melih Gokcek, an investigation has been initiated ex officio by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in order to reveal the material truth."
The investigation was launched following the allegations raised by journalist Murat Agirel regarding money transfers linked to companies and investments of the Gokcek family in Germany and Luxembourg. Agirel shared claims that the Gokcek family made real estate investments in Germany, including involvement with a shopping center worth 8.5 million Euros in Velbert and negotiations for a shopping center worth 180 million Euros in Luxembourg.
Following the investigation, Gokcek made the statement: "With God's permission, I have no account I cannot render. I will provide the necessary information to the prosecutor's office. I am surrendering myself to Turkish justice."
ABB HAD ALSO FILED A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST GOKCEK AND HIS RELATIVES
In addition, the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality also filed a criminal complaint on August 7 against Melih Gokcek, his family, Beyaz TV, Osmanlispor officials, and individuals alleged to have "rigged tenders," on charges of being a "criminal organization."
ABB lawyer Nadi Turkaslan stated that they had previously applied to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requesting an investigation into the assets of Gokcek and his relatives on the grounds of "unjust enrichment," and said they expected the three files to be handled together following the investigation initiated ex officio after Murat Agirel's publications.
SUMMONED TO TESTIFY AS A SUSPECT
Gokcek was summoned to testify as a suspect at 16:00 on Friday, September 4, within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau.