17.05.2026 13:30
In the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the expert examination of the digital materials of Gökhan Cumalı, the family driver of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, has been completed. The examinations revealed alleged correspondence and delivery records regarding a high-volume cash flow between him and CHP Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba. The case file includes allegations of $100,000 cash deliveries in cargo bags on various dates.
Under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the forensic examination of the mobile phone and digital materials of Gökhan Cumalı, the family driver of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, has been completed as part of the judicial investigation. As a result of cyber and technical analyses, the following official findings were chronologically obtained regarding the money flow between the suspect Cumalı and CHP Malatya MP Veli Ağbaba.
AĞBABA: WHERE IS THE MONEY?
- Delivery Dated January 13, 2024: In the first correspondence records prior to the 2024 local elections, it was determined that suspect Gökhan Cumalı entered the parking lot for a meeting, MP Veli Ağbaba sent a message to the suspect saying "where is the money," and during this process, the first cash delivery was made.
- Delivery Dated March 4, 2024: In correspondence and visual records from approximately three weeks before the local elections, it was found that suspect Gökhan Cumalı delivered cash amounting to $100,000 to Veli Ağbaba in a domestic cargo pouch.
CASH TRANSFER OF $100,000
- Delivery Dated August 4, 2025: Another forensic finding in the investigation showed that another cash transfer of $100,000 was made using the same cargo company pouch; however, records indicate that after the delivery, Veli Ağbaba messaged the suspect driver claiming shortages in the money.
"I PUT MONEY IN THE BAG, IT WAS OPENED"
In the dialogues, Ağbaba asked Cumalı, "Did anyone open my bag?" and Cumalı replied, "No, sir, no one got into the car." Ağbaba then said, "I put money in the bag yesterday, it's missing," to which Cumalı responded, "No one got in the back, sir, I didn't even get in myself."
PROFILE AND NETWORK OF SUSPECT GÖKHAN CUMALI
- In the investigations conducted as part of the probe, it was learned that in addition to Veli Ağbaba, suspect Gökhan Cumalı also occasionally served as the driver for the family of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and received his salary from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
- It is reported that the investigation is being deepened to identify the source and sender profiles of the high-volume cash movements the suspect accessed while serving as the driver for these individuals.
FROM PROSTITUTION INVESTIGATION TO BRIBERY INVESTIGATION
Based on the evidence obtained and the expert report, past transfers and the sender party or parties are being investigated by the cargo company to shed light on the background of these unregistered money transfers.
It is stated that suspect Gökhan Cumalı, who was arrested for facilitating prostitution, will be brought from prison for a new statement in light of these newly discovered digital evidence, and the investigation against him will be expanded with charges of bribery and facilitating bribery.