14.04.2025 22:21
In the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Council, the proposal to establish an investigation commission regarding the allegations in the corruption investigation involving municipal and affiliated companies, presented by the AK Party group, was rejected with the votes of the CHP members.
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The first session of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Council's April meetings was held at the municipality building in Saraçhane under the chairmanship of IMM Deputy Chairman Nuri Aslan.
PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A RESEARCH COMMISSION REGARDING CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS FROM THE AK PARTY Speaking in the council, AK Party Group Spokesperson Murat Türkyılmaz proposed the establishment of a research commission regarding the allegations in the corruption investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office concerning IMM and its affiliated companies. Türkyılmaz stated that the judicial investigation initiated against Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was removed from the position of IMM Presidency, and relevant IMM officials, and the subsequent arrest process had a significant impact on public opinion, especially recalling that the affiliated companies of IMM were at the center of the allegations and accusations during this process.
"IMM AFFILIATES ARE INSTITUTIONS THAT NEED TO BE AUDITED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLE OF TRANSPARENCY " Türkyılmaz continued: "In this context, the proposal you submitted for the establishment of a research commission to investigate the allegations shared with the public regarding IMM and its affiliates, which was included in the agenda of the extraordinary council meeting dated March 24, 2025, has been suspended with the cancellation of that meeting and is not included in the agenda of the upcoming ordinary council meeting. However, IMM affiliates are institutions that manage a large portion of public resources and need to be audited in accordance with the principle of transparency. However, as council members, we have not been able to obtain information even about the tenders, financial transactions, and even the board members of these companies. Even the existing specialized commissions cannot access this information."
AK Party Group Spokesperson Murat Türkyılmaz "WE REQUEST AND PROPOSE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RESEARCH COMMISSION TO CLARIFY ALL ALLEGATIONS" Emphasizing the importance of auditing the affiliated companies, Türkyılmaz continued: "A comprehensive audit of the affiliated company, which is one of the most important actors of IMM, will not only clarify the corruption allegations raised but will also contribute to the clarity of discussions regarding the reputation of our long-established and valuable institution like IMM, and will play an important role in bringing the truth to light as soon as possible. We request and propose the establishment of a research commission to clarify all allegations regarding IMM and its affiliates, in line with the ambitious statements of the IMM administration regarding transparency, its confident stance against accusations, and the public's right to know the truth."
CHP GROUP SPOKESPERSON ÖZCAN: WHY WAS THERE A NEED FOR A SEPARATE AUDIT? In response, CHP Group Spokesperson Gencay Özcan stated, "Our friends are suggesting to conduct an audit that the Court of Accounts auditors cannot do here. Are they going to conduct an audit that the Ministry of Trade cannot do? Actually, these places are being audited. Moreover, why was there a need for a separate audit? If there is a proposal for a study regarding these affiliates, it should be evaluated in the commission. For this reason, we will vote 'no'."
CHP Group Spokesperson Gencay Özcan REJECTED BY THE VOTES OF CHP COUNCIL MEMBERS After the speeches, the proposal to establish a research commission regarding the corruption allegations about IMM and its affiliated companies was rejected by the votes of CHP council members.
AK PARTY GROUP VICE CHAIRMAN GÖKKUŞ: WE PRESENTED A QUITE REASONABLE PROPOSAL TO INVESTIGATE SUSPICIOUS TENDERS AND IRREGULAR EXPENDITURES After the council meeting, AK Party Group Vice Chairman Faruk Gökkuş made statements to the press regarding the issue. Gökkuş stated that the order established in IMM no longer recognizes the conscience of the people or the council's oversight authority, saying, "As council members representing the will of the people of Istanbul, we presented a quite reasonable, quite legal, and quite legitimate proposal to investigate the allegations circulating in IMM affiliates, suspicious tenders, and irregular expenditures."
AK Party Group Vice Chairman Faruk Gökkuş "THOSE WHO AVOID THE COUNCIL'S OVERSIGHT TODAY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE CONSCIENCE OF THE PEOPLE ONE DAY" Stating that their proposal was rejected, Gökkuş said: "If you are so confident in yourselves, if you truly believe that your cause is just, then why are you avoiding this audit? If this council is obstructing this audit, it is no longer just a political preference because the issue is no longer a political polemic; it is a matter of public safety and public property. We will not remain silent. We will continue to defend the rights of this nation, the future of this city, and the honor of this municipality. Bring it on. Those who avoid the council's oversight today will not be able to escape the conscience of the people one day."
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