Corruption Allegations Against Istanbul Municipality Reach Court
A comprehensive corruption case linked to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) is continuing with its 77th hearing.
The trial involves allegations against an alleged " profit-oriented criminal organisation" reportedly connected to the incumbent mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.
With 414 defendants, 51 of whom are currently in pre-trial detention, the case holds significant national importance and sheds light on the management of power in Turkey' s largest city.
During Tuesday' s hearing, businessman Eyüp Subaşı, one of the defendants not in custody, provided key testimony.
Subaşı explained that his company carried out various production works for Kültür A. Ş., an İBB subsidiary.
These assignments included, among other things, the production of advertising on large billboards and lamp posts, as well as work on bridge parapets, vehicle wrapping, printed materials, and various events. According to Subaşı' s statement, his company was pressured to transfer ten percent of its turnover from these production, printing, and promotional jobs to an individual named Fatih Keleş.
This is a direct allegation of a systematised bribery demand intended to secure and maintain contractual relationships with municipal companies.
Subaşı told the court that the demand for a share of the turnover initially came as a surprise and that he initially rejected it.
However, he claimed that the urgent situation regarding ongoing work, combined with the devastating effect of the coronavirus pandemic which paralysed all commercial activity, forced his company to comply with the demand.
He described the situation as one where the company was " exposed and forced" to accept the conditions.
The work subject to these allegations spanned approximately 14 months, including a two-month extension after the original 2020 contract expired.
Subaşı’s testimony underscores that the alleged practice was not an isolated instance of favouritism, but a systematic demand for a significant share of the company' s revenue from public contracts. The trial is continuing with further questioning of the defendants who are not in custody.
The case is not merely a local corruption trial but also has far-reaching political implications, given its connection to Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent opposition figure and a potential presidential candidate.
The outcome may influence the political balance in Turkey and the public' s trust in state institutions.
Source: Star
