08.05.2026 15:47
It emerged that Mustafa Gökhan Böcek, the son of Muhittin Böcek who was suspended from his position as the Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality as part of a 'bribery' investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, gave a statement on Saturday, May 2, 2026, under the scope of effective remorse. Gökhan Böcek stated that they purchased buses during his father's candidacy process and provided assistance of 1 million euros.
It has emerged that Mustafa Gökhan Böcek, son of Muhittin Böcek who was suspended from his post as Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor within the scope of the "bribery" investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, gave a statement under the provision of effective remorse.
“I GAVE 1 MILLION EUROS FOR THE CANDIDACY”
Sinan Burhan, reporting Gökhan Böcek's statement on TV100, said: “I obtained the statement of Gökhan Böcek, who benefited from effective remorse. Gökhan Böcek said, ‘With the knowledge and request of Veli Ağababa, I took 1 million euros to the headquarters. I handed it over to the person mentioned by Veli Ağababa on the 6th floor. I asked Veli Ağababa why he wanted this money. He said, ‘Think of it as a candidacy fee, with the knowledge of Mr. Özgür Özel.’ Gökhan Böcek stated in his statement, ‘I did not know Veli Ağababa. We met at a project launch. We exchanged numbers. Later, Veli Ağababa called me via FaceTime or WhatsApp. About 15 days after this conversation, I went to Ankara. I handed over the money to a person whose name I do not know at the headquarters. This person called Veli Ağababa and put him on the phone with me. I do not know this person's name or position. He was around 35-40 years old, 1.70-1.80 meters tall, dark-skinned, and of medium build.’ ” “Gökhan Böcek said, ‘My father Muhittin Böcek had previously told me, ‘There may be financial requests from the headquarters; help out.’ Veli Ağababa had asked me to buy a bus for use during the election period. He later said that the bus was purchased. He asked me to contribute 1 million euros. When I asked what it was for, he said it was on Özgür Özel's instruction and told me to think of it as a candidacy fee.’ ”
"I REQUEST MY RELEASE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF EFFECTIVE REMORSE"
It was determined that at the end of Böcek's statement, he said, “I request that this statement of mine be evaluated under the provisions of effective remorse and that I be released. I have nothing further to add.”
MINISTER GÜRLEK HAD ANNOUNCED
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek had announced in a live broadcast yesterday that Böcek's statements were taken under the provision of effective remorse.
In response to a question about the investigation into Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, Minister of Justice Gürlek stated:
"Proceedings are currently ongoing against Muhittin Böcek, Gökhan Böcek, and other individuals. Additionally, the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office recently conducted an operation in connection with a new investigation. Muhittin Böcek was arrested for a second time. As far as I know, there is also an investigation in Istanbul. I believe Zuhal was arrested there as well. Gökhan Böcek is also under arrest in the Antalya investigation. I know that statements from Gökhan Böcek have been taken under the provision of effective remorse."