17.08.2026 21:11
In the second hearing of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) case, Ercan Saatçi, who was making his defense, rejected the charges of tender, money laundering, and membership in an organization. Saatçi said, 'Frankly, I have never seen a tender in my life. I swear I don't know how a tender is made or why it is made. I mean, we musicians and artists don't understand much about business,' while adding that he only knew Ekrem İmamoğlu from the IBB. On the other hand, during the identification process, Saatçi also declared that his monthly income ranged between 300,000 and 400,000 Turkish Lira.
The first session of the second hearing of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) case, involving 414 defendants, 53 of whom are under arrest, including Ekrem Imamoglu, who was removed from his post as IBB President, was held in the new courtroom built at Marmara Closed Prison in Silivri by the Istanbul 33rd Heavy Penal Court.
"IT CONTAINS VERY BIG QUESTION MARKS AND HESITATIONS" After a 40-day break, the trial resumed on its 65th day, and Mehmet Cakircioglu, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA), made his defense. Stating that he entered the municipality as a city planner in 1989, Cakircioglu rejected the charges against him and said, "The expressions 'As far as I remember', 'I don't remember the amount', 'Most likely', and 'But I don't remember this clearly either', which suspect Cemal Gunes used while describing the act he claims occurred in his statement to the prosecutor's office, contain very big question marks and hesitations regarding whether the act actually took place. I repeat, I do not accept this accusation. I have had no contact with the complainant Cemal Gunes, and during my many years working in the public sector, I have never taken any bribe from that person or anyone else. I request the lifting of my travel ban abroad and my acquittal."
ERCAN SAATCI ALSO MADE HIS DEFENSE: MY MONTHLY INCOME IS BETWEEN 300 AND 400 THOUSAND TL Then, the defense of artist Ercan Saatci was heard. One of the defendants not under arrest, singer Ercan Saatci, stated during identification that he is an artist, his monthly income is between 300 and 400 thousand TL, and he has no criminal record.
"I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TENDER IN MY LIFE" Referring to the tender at Eylem 78, Saatci said the following: "First of all, I am here because I belong to a family company. In my actual role in the family company, and in its legal structure, I have neither signature authority nor anything to do with managing a company. Frankly, I have never seen a tender in my life. How a tender is conducted, why it is done; I honestly don't know. I mean, we musicians and artists don't understand much about business. Secondly, item 119 mentions an act of money laundering. Of course, when these accusations were directed at us, we also investigated. Actually, because I was very curious about what my crime was, I delved quite deeply into it. With all the documents, including the bank receipts related to that alleged money laundering crime, we have submitted some to you, and we will submit others. In fact, I even request an examination of the company accounts because the company that said 'we did not receive any goods or products in exchange for money' frankly deposited money into our account and received the products. Everything, including the delivery receipts, is ready. We will add that to the report.
Ercan Saatci "I AM KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC, I AM A VERY NATIONALIST PERSON" Apart from that, I read something about membership in an organization. Honestly, I have never been a member of any organization in my life. I am known to the public; I am a very nationalist person. In the 90s, the PKK threatened me, and the state gave me two bodyguards. Apart from that, my name has never been associated with any organization in any way. Therefore, I reject each and every one of the allegations and request my acquittal, but primarily, I respectfully request the lifting of my travel ban abroad due to my work. In this 1.5-year period, I could not go to the European tour, the Azerbaijan tour, etc., even though I had signed agreements, and I had to pay penalties in all of them. Now in September, I have more tours abroad. Therefore, I respectfully request that my travel ban be lifted urgently so I can go on these and continue my profession."
"I ONLY KNOW IMAMOGLU" Responding to the prosecutor's question, "Do you know the officials of Kultur A.S., general managers, department heads, etc.? Do you have any contact with them?", Saatci said, "When I turn around, I only know Mr. Ekrem. I mean, everyone in Turkey knows him because he is the Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Apart from him, I don't know anyone. When I was first taken into custody and brought to Vatan Street at 06:30 in the morning, the police officers said, 'You will see which organization you are a member of there.' I went in, there were 400-500 people, I didn't recognize a single person. Later, when we got to the wards, I saw Mr. Ekrem and I am just starting to make sense of the situation."
After Saatci's defense, the first day of the second hearing of the case was completed. The hearing will continue tomorrow.