13.11.2025 02:07
In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office as part of the investigation into the "Imamoğlu organized crime group," it was stated that Murat Ongun, one of the organization's leaders, directed individuals wishing to participate in İBB (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality) tenders to a company established in the name of his wife. It was explained that the applicants could participate in the tenders if they paid invoices issued by this company, which had no legitimate basis. The allegations indicate that a total of 1,455,994 TL in bribes was received.
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In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office as part of the investigation into the "Imamoğlu organized crime group," it is stated that Murat Ongun, who is alleged to be one of the organization's leaders, directed those who wanted to participate in İBB tenders to a company established in his wife's name, and that those interested could participate in the tenders if they paid the invoices issued by this company, which had no corresponding services.
ADDRESS DELIVERY TENDERS FOR KÜLTÜR AŞ.
The indictment includes the specifications prepared for the rental of a 170 square meter glass area in the Feshane building located in the Eyüpsultan district as a book-café for a period of 3 years.
It is noted in the indictment that firms applying for the tender must have operated an open or closed cultural event area for at least 5 years backward from the announcement date, must sell books and souvenirs in at least 5 locations on both sides of Istanbul, and must have documentation from the relevant authorities. It is reported that these conditions resulted in many firms being unable to participate in the tender.
The indictment states that for these reasons, only Kültür AŞ, a subsidiary of İBB, participated and won the tender, and that despite the rented property being on the European side of Istanbul, the requirement in the specifications for operating on both sides of Istanbul for 5 years had no practical benefit.
It is stated in the indictment that Kültür AŞ was directed by the organization leader Murat Ongun, and that Ongun repeatedly used Kültür AŞ as a tool. It is expressed that the provisions added to the main tender specifications are a product of the plans and schemes of the Imamoğlu crime organization, and although the damage in the tender is not clearly defined, it is possible that the work could have been carried out at much more reasonable prices.
The indictment explains that a tender was announced for the operation of the Kadir Topbaş Show Center located in Yenikapı Square for a period of 3 years in 2023, but the tender was structured in a way that defined Kültür AŞ, and as a result, Kültür AŞ won the tender with a bid close to the estimated amount.
BRIBE MONEY SENT TO ONGUN'S WIFE'S COMPANY
The indictment states that after Imamoğlu was elected as the mayor of İBB, the suspect Murat Ongun was appointed as the chairman of the board of the municipal subsidiary Medya AŞ, and that Ongun established complete control over all purchases and tenders made in the subsidiary by using the power he gained from this position.
INVOICE PAYMENT OBLIGATION
The indictment describes that in order to facilitate both Ongun's personal enrichment and the financial gain of the Imamoğlu crime organization, on August 17, 2022, Ongun established a company named BYZAG Art Design and Trade Limited Company in the name of his wife, suspect Zeynep Ayten Gözdem Ongun. It is also reported that Ongun communicated with firms operating in the market through the suspect Emrah Bağdatlı, who is subordinate to him within the organization hierarchy, and conveyed illegal demands that individuals wishing to participate in İBB tenders could obtain work if they paid the invoices issued by his wife's company.
The indictment states that some suspects paid invoices issued by Ongun's wife's company, which had no corresponding services, in order to participate in tenders conducted by İBB and earn income. Although Zeynep Ongun did not accept the accusations against her in her statement, it was reported that some suspects stated that they did not receive any goods or services in return for the money they paid and claimed that there was no commercial relationship with the company named BYZAG.
1 MILLION 455 THOUSAND LIRA BRIBE
The indictment mentions that a bribery agreement was made between the suspects whose statements were taken and Murat Ongun through Emrah Bağdatlı, stating, "Since these companies have received work from the subsidiaries named Kültür AŞ and Medya AŞ on various dates, and in return, they sent money to the company named BYZAG, which belongs to the organization leader suspect Zeynep Ayten Gözdem Ongun, it is evident that both parties obtained financial benefits. Therefore, there is no doubt that a bribery agreement was made. Thus, a total of 1 million 455 thousand 994 TL in bribes was received."
The indictment emphasizes that the bribe money obtained was transferred to a structure called "system" created within the Imamoğlu crime organization and was used in line with the organization's goals and activities.
"ADVERTISING SPACES MISUSED"
The indictment describes that some companies were allowed to use outdoor advertising spaces owned by the municipality without obtaining advertising permits, and therefore, a notice of ecrimisil (compensation for unauthorized use) was sent to these companies. It is stated that the relevant companies continued to use the outdoor advertising media by paying these ecrimisil fees at certain intervals.
The indictment notes that if these media were allocated to companies through a tender or other legal methods according to the regulations, it would have been possible for the municipality to receive much higher amounts, but by only collecting ecrimisil fees from the companies, the public was caused to suffer millions of Turkish lira in losses. It was concluded that the main purpose here was to collect ecrimisil in a fraudulent manner in collusion with the suspects who are the officials of the mentioned companies, thereby reducing costs and significantly increasing profitability, with a portion of this profit being transferred to the organization.
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