Confession in corruption investigation into Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality: Money smuggled to Vienna, London, Spain

Businessman Adem Soytekin, testifying under the provisions of effective remorse in the corruption investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), claimed that lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan had warned all the actors before the operation, which was why there was no cash. Soytekin said, “I know that Fatih Keleş had safe houses where he hid the system's money before the operation. The house used by Veysel Erçevik was one of them.” He also stated that Ekrem İmamoğlu tried to silence him by making him read a note that read, “Adem, stand tall, don't sell us out.”

In his statements requesting effective remorse, Soytekin outlined the structure of the criminal organization established during İmamoğlu's tenure as mayor of Beylikdüzü. He stated that he was a subcontractor on the Meydan Yakuplu Project, that the primary owners were Muzaffer Beyaz and İmamoğlu, and that İmamoğlu retained 17 of the apartments at the end of the project. He also stated that 75 apartments granted by KİPTAŞ were given to CHP members and influential figures during the congress process.

Soytekin alleged that irregular regulations were made regarding KİPTAŞ tenders, the Social Security Institution (SGK) system, and the metro and Ambarlı projects. He claimed that there was a 10% bribery cycle in tenders and that CHP members who didn't go to work were shown as SGK-insured. He also alleged that money was smuggled for hotel investments in Vienna, London, and Spain, and that cash was hidden in safe houses before the operation.

Soytekin also stated that 130-140 lawyers, untouchable representatives, and bureaucrats in prison were being privately financed. He said that forged donation receipts were issued for this purpose, and that the transactions were conducted through Turan Taşkın Özer. He stated that he was pressured in his office with a note saying, "Adem, stand tall, don't sell us out," and that attempts were made to silence him through the lawyers.

He stated that office space was prepared for Mehmet Murat Çalık at İmamoğlu's request as part of the Topkapı Project, that Fatih Keleş was used, and that transactions were carried out under İmamoğlu's instructions. He claimed that a $5.5 million protocol was signed with Tuncay Yılmaz, and that the $5 million flowed through the system.

Soytekin claimed that after his effective repentance, various lawyers and deputies visited him, some of whom came on behalf of the state, and that a female lawyer demanded a promissory note worth 80 million lira.