05.11.2025 15:16
It has come to light that Selim İmamoğlu, the son of Ekrem İmamoğlu, gave a statement as a suspect in the case of "bribery and money laundering." İmamoğlu stated regarding the amounts in the MASAK report, "The amount I sent to Croatia is 388,303 euros. I made an investment decision in Croatia. The funds I needed were provided by my mother and grandfather. I do not know where they obtained the money from."
Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was removed from the position of Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and arrested, along with his father Hasan İmamoğlu and son Selim İmamoğlu, gave a statement as a suspect for the crime of "bribery and money laundering." The police statement of Selim İmamoğlu has emerged.
"I HAVE A COMPANY OPERATING IN CROATIA"
In his statement, Selim İmamoğlu said, "I currently have a company operating in Croatia. I also work as an engineer in our family company, İmamoğlu Construction. I have a 6.5-meter boat registered in my name. Other than that, I have no other assets registered in my name. There is a vehicle registered under the name of İmamoğlu Construction, which I use. Other than that, I do not own or use any real estate, vehicles, or other assets that are not registered in my name. I have one company both domestically and internationally. The name of my company abroad is TECTUM INVESTMENT D.O.O. This company operates in the construction sector. Additionally, I have a company named Seku Yatçılık in Turkey. This company is not yet operational," he stated.
"MY MOTHER AND GRANDPA GAVE ME THE AMOUNT I NEEDED"
Selim İmamoğlu was asked about the total of 637,106 Euros sent via Swift to a company in Croatia named TECTUM INVESTMENT D.O.O. in 2023 and 2024, "What was the purpose of the money transfers? Please explain the source of the money you sent?" İmamoğlu responded, "After seeing this table in the press, our lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan made a statement regarding this. As mentioned above, a total of 637,106 Euros was not sent to Croatia as claimed. The amount I sent to Croatia is 388,303 Euros. If you want, we can present the receipts and account movements. During the period I graduated from university, I frequently traveled to Croatia for a long time with the aim of carrying our 40-year family construction company tradition into the international arena, with the vision provided by my school. After extensive research and a common consensus with my family, I decided to establish a company in Croatia and become an investor in a construction project. After sharing this with my family, my mother and grandfather agreed to provide me with the amount I needed. This is how I started the company's operations," he replied.
It was noted in the police statement that it was observed that Mehmet Selim İmamoğlu conducted a Swift transfer of a total of 637,106 Euros to a company in Croatia named TECTUM INVESTMENT D.O.O. in 2023 and 2024, and that the intelligence information indicated that the company Tectum Investment D.O.O., which is based in Croatia, belongs to Mehmet Selim İmamoğlu. The police statement also mentioned that in the investigations regarding the source of the amounts related to the Swift transfers made to Mehmet Selim İmamoğlu's company Tectum Investment D.O.O., it was found that the amounts received from his mother Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu and grandfather Hasan İmamoğlu matched in terms of date and amount. It was recorded in the police statement that the transfer of money to the accounts of the company owned by the individual abroad was deemed suspicious.
"IT IS QUITE NORMAL FOR ME TO WANT TO MOVE MY KNOWLEDGE ABROAD"
The letter from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board was also included in the police statement. The letter stated, "In the evaluation section regarding the money transfers to TECTUM INVESTMENTS D.O.O., which is established in the name of Mehmet Selim İmamoğlu and based in Croatia, it is assessed that the amounts received from Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu and Hasan İmamoğlu consist of actions and movements of sending money abroad by Mehmet Selim İmamoğlu. It is understood that the actions in question, within the scope of the investigation file of the Organized Crimes Investigation Office of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, constitute the crime of money laundering, and the amount being laundered is evaluated to be 637,106 Euros, and it is understood that the amount of money sent is half of the MASAK determination," it was stated. The police asked İmamoğlu, "The findings in the relevant MASAK report have been shown above. Please provide a detailed explanation regarding the findings mentioned."
"I DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEY OBTAINED THE MONEY THEY SENT ME"
In his response, İmamoğlu said, "As the third generation of a family engaged in the construction business, it is quite normal for my mother and grandfather to help me both financially and morally when I want to move our knowledge abroad. I do not accept the claim that this is a crime and that it is illicit income. I do not know where my mother and grandfather obtained the money they sent me. I can say that my grandfather Hasan İmamoğlu has at least 40 years of trading experience. He has accumulated wealth through his individual efforts in many sectors on behalf of our family. My mother has also made savings for many years to protect and secure both herself and our family. The source of this money comes from there. Therefore, there is no situation or condition that should be suspected," he said.
"I AM A TURKISH YOUNG MAN DEDICATED TO SCIENCE"
Adding to his statement, Selim İmamoğlu said, "I am a Turkish young man who has graduated from a good university and is currently pursuing a master's degree in quantum technologies in the field of physics engineering at Istanbul Technical University. I am also grateful that I have a family that has been engaged in trade for many years and does this job properly. It is my greatest right to carry this accumulation into the international arena with the education and vision provided to me by both my family and the Republic of Turkey. I do not accept even the slightest accusation that associates me and my family with any crime related to this matter," he stated.