18.07.2025 18:08
In the bribery operation targeting the Manavgat Municipality, a hotel owner who was arrested stated that he was asked for 1 million 250 thousand euros to obtain a residence permit for his hotel. The hotel owner said, "Hüseyin Cem Gül told me that the money was requested by Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara, and that this money would go directly to the Mayor. I also said that they were essentially committing extortion."
K.T, the hotel owner arrested in the bribery, extortion, and embezzlement investigation targeting the municipality in Manavgat, claimed that he bribed the mayor and his assistants to obtain a construction permit. In his statement, he detailed the amount of money requested from him and how the process progressed.
ALLEGATION OF "BRIBERY" FROM HOTEL OWNER IN MANAVGAT OPERATION
The additional statement of the hotel owner, who was among those arrested in the bribery, extortion, and embezzlement operation against the Manavgat Municipality, has emerged. The suspect businessman K.T stated in his additional statement to the prosecutor's office that he started a new hotel construction in Sorgun Neighborhood in 2023, in addition to his 2 hotels in the district.
While planning to open the hotel in 2025, K.T explained that building control officials and inspectors came unusually often to the construction site, and after completing the construction, he sent his nephew M.E. to the municipality to apply for occupancy.
"THE MAYOR DIRECTED ME TO A PERSON NAMED HÜSEYİN FOR OCCUPANCY"
K.T alleged that a municipal employee conveyed the request of Manavgat Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara to meet with the hotel owner to his nephew. He continued in his statement: "I mentioned to Mayor Kara, whom I met by making an appointment, that there were difficulties in obtaining occupancy despite there being no legal impediment. The Mayor told me to see a person named Hüseyin in the control department and to follow the instructions of the person they would direct me to, stating that this was the procedure."
"HE SAID I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN OCCUPANCY IF I DID NOT MEET HÜSEYİN CEM GÜL"
I told him that my transactions were being conducted according to procedure, and that I had previously established a public restaurant at his request, and that I would not be able to meet anyone due to this matter. A few days later, thinking that my transactions would not proceed if I clashed with the Mayor, I met with a person named Demir Demir, whom Hüseyin directed. He also told me that I needed to meet Hüseyin Cem Gül for my transactions to progress, otherwise I would not be able to obtain a license and occupancy."
"I TOLD THEM THEY WERE OFFICIALLY ROBBING ME"
K.T claimed that Demir Demir told him that "the money that Hüseyin Cem Gül and Mayor Kara would request would be a drop in the bucket compared to the profits," and stated that he did not directly reject the offer because he had no other choice.
Emphasizing that he met with Gül and Demir in their office, K.T said, "In exchange for my transactions, Hüseyin Cem Gül asked me for 1 million 250 thousand euros. He said he would not even negotiate on this amount, that the money was requested by Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara, and that this money would go directly to the Mayor. I told him that this was not how it would be, that the money he wanted was not a small amount, and that they were officially robbing me."
The businessman claimed that Gül stated he would not be able to obtain occupancy and a license if the money was not paid. He noted: "Gül said that even if he resorted to legal means, it would take 3-5 years to conclude and that the results would be severe. On January 8, 2025, he called me and said that I needed to give a part of the money, which should not be less than 250 thousand euros. I delivered 250 thousand euros to Gül by going to Demir's office.
"THE MONEY WAS GIVEN TO THE MAYOR"
As a result, they granted occupancy to my hotel on January 26. Gül later told me to give the remaining money to Mesut Kara, who was also doing the excavation work for my hotel. I handed over the 500 thousand euros I procured to Kara in person on February 9. Gül stated that they would handle the remaining money somehow, and that I needed to rent the market and hamam of the hotel to the person he wanted and that I should buy vegetables and fruits from İlker Günay for the hotel. A few days later, I called Gül to ask if the total of 750 thousand euros I had given was delivered to Mayor Kara. Gül told me that the money was given to the mayor."
K.T expressed that he was victimized due to the incident and that he had filed a complaint against the mentioned suspects. In the investigation initiated by the Manavgat Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the allegations of bribery related to hotel renovation, construction permits, and occupancy applications, 19 suspects, including Manavgat Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara, municipal deputy mayors, council members, and businessmen, were arrested, while 16 suspects were released under judicial control.