05.07.2025 07:40
The leader of the CHP, Özgür Özel, announced that his party has initiated an investigation regarding the bribery footage related to the investigation launched against the Manavgat Municipality. Özel stated, "Two investigators have been immediately assigned within our party regarding the footage that has surfaced on social media concerning the investigation into our Antalya Manavgat Municipality. Our stance is clear."
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In an operation against bribery, extortion, and embezzlement targeting the Manavgat Municipality in Antalya, 34 people, including Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara and the deputy mayors, were detained.
The Manavgat Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation based on allegations of bribery related to hotel renovations, construction permits, and occupancy applications. As part of the work carried out by the Provincial Police Department, a 4-month technical and physical surveillance was conducted on the suspects. It was claimed that bribes were requested through the Mayor Kara's nephew, H.C.G., and that permits were not granted without receiving bribes.
THEY HAVE EMBEZZLED 800 MILLION LIRA
Additionally, it was alleged that services or goods were procured through shell companies established via the Manavgat Municipality, its affiliated enterprises, and sports clubs, that unfair benefits were obtained through fake invoices, and that the suspects embezzled approximately 800 million lira in this way. In the operation conducted against the municipality, 34 people, including Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara and the deputy mayors, were detained.
EUROS FOUND IN A BAKLAVA BOX
As part of the investigation, images allegedly showing Deputy Mayor M.E.T. receiving a bribe from a person named C.C. also emerged. It was reported that C.C., after being asked for a bribe for a permit, contacted the police, and after the tip-off, went to M.E.T.'s office with marked money and handed over the bribe, after which the police conducted a raid.
BRIBERY MOMENTS CAPTURED ON CAMERA
In the footage, C.C. is heard giving a bag to Deputy Mayor M.E.T. from beside a coffee table, saying, "And there’s also something here, bro. The thing underneath." In the footage, when M.E.T. asks, "How much is there?" C.C. replies, "Bro, we have something worth over 100 million. 110 thousand euros." M.E.T. then responds, "Okay, don’t say anything to anyone." C.C. replies, "No, no, bro, how could that be?"
"I DIDN'T OPEN IT"
After a while, teams from the Smuggling and Organized Crime Department entered the room and carried out the detention process on M.E.T. When asked by the teams what was in the bag in the room, M.E.T. said, "My friend came from abroad. He brought alcohol and chocolate." The police asked him to open the baklava box in the bag. In the footage, euros are seen in the baklava box that M.E.T. opened. When the police asked, "Did you receive this as baklava? What are these?" M.E.T. initially did not respond, then said, "My friend said he brought a gift, he left and went. I didn’t open it. I don’t know."
ÖZGÜR ÖZEL INITIATED AN INVESTIGATION
Özel announced that they have initiated an investigation regarding the images and allegations and that they will not compromise on any negativity that tarnishes clean municipal governance:
"Immediately, 2 investigators have been assigned within our party regarding the images related to the investigation targeting our Antalya Manavgat Municipality that have surfaced on social media. As a result of the investigations; there should be no doubt that any negativity that tarnishes the clean understanding of the Republican People's Party will be approached in the most uncompromising manner. Our stance is clear.
The Republican People's Party rejects the politics of those who protect ministers involved in crime and their relatives who stash millions in shoeboxes. Based on concrete evidence, anyone proven to be involved in crime will not only be unable to remain in our Party but we will also follow up on their severe punishment. However, I would like to remind you that; for 107 days, no evidence of corruption has been found against our Presidential Candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu and his companions, and we will not allow our honorable struggle to be tarnished by an image in Manavgat. The matter will be thoroughly examined from all aspects, and the public will be informed as soon as possible.
Our request is for the fair and impartial judicial mechanism to be operated in all processes, including the investigation in İzmir. Those proven guilty should certainly face the consequences, but those detained without any evidence should also be released. Our request is for an independent and impartial judicial process to be conducted everywhere and for everyone."
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