21.04.2025 17:50
In the investigation against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), Murat Abbas, the Director of Kültür A.Ş., who was released as a 'collaborator', stated that Murat Ongun and Ertan Yıldız, whom he claims are behind the Digital Experience Center Museum project, instructed companies to collect money directly under the guise of Ramadan aid before the March 31 elections. He also raised allegations about the purchase of a boat in the Netherlands and an apartment in Moda.
The corruption investigation against suspects, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was removed from his position as the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) following his arrest by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, continues. The charges include "being a leader of a criminal organization," "being a member of a criminal organization," "bribery," "extortion," "qualified fraud," "illegally obtaining personal data," and "interfering with a tender."
THE TESTIMONY OF CONFESSOR MURAT ABBAS HAS EMERGED Recently, the testimony of Murat Abbas, the General Manager of Kültür A.Ş., who was arrested as part of the investigation and released under 'house arrest' and 'travel ban' as a 'confessor' under the 'effective remorse provisions,' has come to light.
Ekrem İmamoğlu and Murat Abbas "MURAT ONGUN WAS BEHIND THE PROJECT" In his testimony, Abbas claimed that Murat Ongun, the Chairman of the Board of Media A.Ş., was behind the Digital Experience Center Museum project, which started in 2023. He stated that he began to suspect when he realized that the technology used during a meeting held in London, the capital of England, was outdated, and noted that the records indicating an expenditure of 43 million TL for the project were not true. Abbas detailed the expenditures as "22 million TL for labor, 8 million TL for glass replacement, 7 million TL, and 6 million TL for unregistered payments."
"DIRECTLY 13 MILLION TL WAS REQUESTED" In the continuation of his testimony, Abbas alleged that Ongun and Ertan Yıldız, the Chairman of the IMM Council's Participation and Affiliated Organizations Commission, directly requested a total of 13 million 250 thousand TL from the contractor of the Digital Museum project; 10 million TL, 2 million TL to support the CHP candidate in Zeytinburnu, and 1 million 250 thousand TL for meal support for election workers. Abbas also claimed that these money transfers were carried out through Barış Kılıç.
Chairman of the Board of Media A.Ş. Murat Ongun INSTRUCTION TO COLLECT MONEY UNDER THE NAME OF RAMADAN AID Abbas explained that before the local elections on March 31, an instruction was given by Yıldız to collect money directly from some companies under the name of Ramadan aid. He stated that this instruction was given in a meeting. Abbas mentioned that a media fund was created in accordance with the instruction and that Kültür A.Ş. sent 9-10 million TL to the intermediary firm.
"A BOAT WAS PURCHASED IN HOLLAND, A HOUSE IN MODA" According to the claim made by Abbas, it was determined that there was a deficit of 38 million TL before the Court of Accounts report was prepared, and Murat Ongun stated that this deficit would be covered by subcontractors. Abbas reported that he submitted an official petition to the IMM Inspection Board and requested an audit of the digital museum. According to Murat Abbas, Barış Kılıç, who was involved in the project alongside Ongun, bought a boat in Holland. Abbas's assistant also purchased his rented house in Moda.
A MEETING WAS HELD BEFORE THE OPERATION AGAINST IMM, AND OUR TESTIMONIES WERE DISCUSSED Abbas stated that about 15 days before the 'corruption' and 'terror' operations against IMM, IMM officials held meetings twice with lawyers. He explained that a lawyer led the preparatory meeting held at Kültür A.Ş. on March 9. During this meeting, they were informed about how they would testify after the operation, and Abbas said, "It was decided to provide limited information about Murat Ongun, Fatih Keleş, and Ertan Yıldız, and for all employees to speak in unison. It was predetermined which lawyers would defend whom in the event of a possible operation specifically regarding Kültür A.Ş. After this meeting, I learned the details of the operation from my assistant Doğan Hamit Doğruer. My assistant told me how the tenders were shaped, who would win them, and how the money was transferred, all under Ongun's instructions." He mentioned that he gave power of attorney to the lawyer designated by IMM during this meeting.