20.10.2026 20:10
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum gave a harsh response to New Party General Chairman Özgür Özel's claim regarding the project in Ayazağa that "a zoning permit was granted to the stream." Kurum said that the project was realized in 2022 with the proposal of Sarıyer Municipality and the approval of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), and that the IMM became a direct partner in the project with a sales price of 1.1 billion TL, adding: "Mr. Özgür, you are doing politics over the pain in Ayazağa, but everything you say is a lie!"
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum denied the statements by New Party Chairman Özgür Özel, who criticized him at the group meeting, regarding the project in Ayazağa. Minister Kurum said, "You are doing politics over the suffering in Ayazağa, but everything you say is a lie."
In a statement on his social media account, Minister Kurum said, "Mr. Özgür, you are doing politics over the suffering in Ayazağa, but everything you say is a lie! You are unaware both that the IMM is a partner in the project and of your municipalities' responsibilities."
THE IMM IS A DIRECT PARTNER IN THE PROJECT
Continuing his statement regarding the project in Ayazağa, Minister Kurum said:
"The project you say 'zoning permission was granted for the stream' in Ayazağa was implemented with the proposal of Sarıyer Municipality and with the approval of the IMM in 2022. In this project, the IMM has a sales value of 1.1 billion TL and a construction area share of 4,004 square meters. In other words, the IMM is a direct partner in the project. The only reason our Ministry became involved in the process is to resolve the problem of 950 rights holders who were victimized because Sarıyer Municipality prolonged the construction permit process."
STREAM REHABILITATION IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MUNICIPALITIES
"In addition, the rehabilitation of the stream in the region and the demolition of structures on the stream are entirely the responsibility of the municipalities. My advice is to ask those concerned before explaining something, otherwise you end up in such a ridiculous situation. If you did ask and are still spreading these slanders for perception anyway, let's say it openly: don't bother! You will not be able to cover up the incompetence and corruption in your municipalities with these lies!"