09.04.2025 20:00
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) stated in a press release regarding the news of "human trafficking with IMM vehicles" that "Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality acts with the awareness of its public duties and responsibilities; it never tolerates the misuse of public resources and vehicles for purposes other than their intended use."
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) stated regarding the allegations of human trafficking using a municipal vehicle, "We never tolerate the misuse of public resources and vehicles."
An announcement from the municipality came in response to news that an İBB employee, who was driving a truck in Edirne with 8 irregular migrants, was arrested on charges of "human trafficking."
"HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO İBB STAFF BY A DECREE"
The statement said, "There is a need to inform the public correctly regarding the news titled 'Human Trafficking with İBB Vehicle' in some media outlets," and added; "The vehicle with the license plate 34 MTK 698 mentioned in the incident is part of the inventory of Ağaç ve Peyzaj A.Ş., a subsidiary of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. It has been determined that the personnel using the vehicle, Mevlüt DEMİRBÜKEN, started working within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's Parks and Gardens Directorate as a contractor's employee in 2016 and was transferred to İBB staff as of April 1, 2018, under the decree numbered 696."
"WE WILL NOT ALLOW THE MISUSE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES"
The statement also noted, "It has been determined by the relevant units that the personnel in question was not present at the workplace on April 9, 2025, and an immediate report was prepared regarding the matter, and a disciplinary process was initiated as of the same date. All legal and administrative processes have been initiated against the relevant person, and their employment contract has been terminated."
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality acts with the awareness of its public duty and responsibility; it never tolerates the misuse of public resources and vehicles. All necessary steps have been taken as quickly and decisively as possible within the framework of corporate discipline principles, and the process will be closely monitored," the statement concluded.