23.04.2026 16:22
In the investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the Uşak Municipality, a new witness statement has emerged regarding allegations that Mayor Özkan Yalım collected money under the guise of the Uşakspor curtain. The witness claimed that millions of lira were collected from nightclubs under the name of “donations” and stated that the fate of the money remains unclear.
In the corruption and bribery investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the Uşak Municipality, another striking witness statement has emerged. The witness claimed that the detained Mayor Özkan Yalım systematically collected money from entertainment sector operators under the pretext of "Uşakspor needs money." The fate of the millions collected remains unclear.
SUMMONED WITH THE EXCUSE "WE NEED MONEY"
According to the witness statement included in the investigation file, the incident began on September 12, 2024. The witness and his brother were summoned to the municipality and then directly taken to Mayor Özkan Yalım's office.
During the meeting held behind closed doors, it was stated that Yalım demanded 1 million TL in cash and millions of liras worth of checks, saying, "Uşakspor urgently needs money." The witness also stated that he had to record these moments.
THEY DELIVERED 1 MILLION TL IN A BAG
In the witness statement, he clearly described how they took the 1 million TL in cash from their vehicle in a bag and handed it over to the mayor. It was also stated that the money was counted by municipal staff and then brought to the table.
Another striking detail in the same meeting was that numerous checks were brought and a payment plan for the footballers was made based on these checks.
THE MONEY COLLECTION TASK WAS DELEGATED TO HIS BROTHER
According to the statement, the process did not stop there. In meetings held with entertainment venue owners in Uşak, money was requested in the form of "donations" in exchange for fines imposed by the municipality.
It was stated that during this process, the organization of money collection was directly given to the witness's brother, and hundreds of thousands of liras were collected per person from business owners. The witness stated that many payments were made in cash, while some were made via bank transfer.
INSTRUCTION: "THOSE WHO DON'T PAY SHOULDN'T COME"
It was stated that in the second meeting, Mayor Yalım adopted a harsher attitude. The witness said Yalım exerted explicit pressure by saying, "If anyone doesn't pay, let them not come to us when they have business tomorrow."
It was also stated that after the meeting, the business owners made a payment plan among themselves, but as the process progressed, the conveniences promised by the municipality were not provided.
FATE OF THE COLLECTED MONEY UNCLEAR
One of the most striking points in the witness statement was the lack of any information about where the collected money went. It was noted that the fate of the hundreds of thousands of liras and millions in payments is unknown, and it is unclear whether this money was transferred to Uşakspor or elsewhere.
UŞAK INVESTIGATION DEEPENS
This new statement emerging within the scope of the investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has added a critical dimension to the case file. While the witness's detailed account sheds light on the money flow within the municipality and the systematic collection allegations, it is believed that the investigation may expand with new detentions and arrests.
As the operation against the Uşak Municipality deepens day by day with new confessions and documents, the public now awaits the tracing of the collected money.