02.04.2025 14:30
Former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu stated that he warned Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) President Ekrem İmamoğlu multiple times about corruption and irregular tenders, saying, "I warned them for exactly 5-6 years, I sent inspectors. I told them that they were hiring people they shouldn't be hiring in the municipalities, but they didn't listen. We identified corrupt practices and revealed tender irregularities. But these people have become accustomed to the law of the privileged."
Former Interior Minister and Chairman of the Parliamentary Interior Affairs Commission, Deputy Süleyman Soylu, made statements regarding the agenda during the holiday program held at the AK Party district headquarters in Bayrampaşa, Sultangazi, Gaziosmanpaşa, and Eyüpsultan. Soylu criticized the CHP, referring to the events that followed the ongoing terrorism and corruption investigation against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB).
"THE RELIGION OF THE STATE IS JUSTICE"
Stating that the fundamental principle of the state is justice, Soylu said, "The religion of the state is justice. Therefore, the fight against corruption is a fundamental duty of the state. Since the religion of the state is justice, it is necessary to combat marginalization, ensure that taxes return to serve the people, and control this. No one can use the state's resources for personal gain. No one can unjustly dismiss thousands of people when they win the municipality. Those who conduct tenders for specific addresses and those involved in corruption must account for this," he stated.
"THERE IS NOW THE RULE OF LAW IN TURKEY"
Pointing out that there were periods in Turkey when accountability could not be demanded due to military coups and political interventions in the past, Soylu said, "They hanged Menderes, issued the 71 Memorandum, carried out the 80 Coup, and tried to destroy the values of the nation on February 28. All of this happened because of the law of the powerful. Tayyip Erdoğan did not only build infrastructure; he enabled people to walk with their heads held high. There is now the rule of law in Turkey," he stated.
"THEY SOILED POLITICS"
Claiming that the CHP held a dubious congress by opening a 'currency exchange office' during its Istanbul provincial congress, Soylu said, "Have any of you ever seen money circulating in a provincial congress? Currencies were collected at the congresses, and dollars were taken to Ankara. There was betrayal among themselves; they soiled politics. Özgür Özel stabbed Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in the back with his own words; they say this themselves. They are trying to secure their future with the tenders they deliver to specific addresses," he said.
"THEY ARE HOLDING FAKE PRIMARIES"
Süleyman Soylu alleged that the CHP's primary election held three years before the elections was conducted to cover up corruption, saying, "Such a practice exists neither in the political parties law nor in the election law. What have they gotten used to? Fake invoices, and now they are holding fake primaries. They are using their party for their dirty calculations. They are turning their members and volunteers into a tool to legitimize their corruption," he stated.
"I WARNED, I SENT INSPECTORS"
Soylu, who said he warned İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu several times about corruption and irregular tenders during his tenure as Interior Minister, stated, "I warned for exactly 5-6 years, I sent inspectors. I said you are hiring people you should not be hiring in municipalities. We said you are hiring personnel from the PKK and FETÖ, but they did not listen. We detected corruption, and we revealed tender irregularities. But they have gotten used to the law of the powerful," he stated.
"THEY ARE TRYING TO DISTURB THE STREETS"
Addressing the recent incidents of violence in the streets, Soylu said, "The street has never achieved anything. This is the Republic of Turkey. They are trying to provoke our youth and children, but we will not allow this. We will never create an environment where the street brings instability," he said.