Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the procedures of the 54 suspects, including Buca Mayor Görkem Duman, who were detained by the Provincial Police Department Financial Crimes Branch teams, were completed.

The suspects were transferred from the Provincial Police Department Yeşilyurt Service Building to the Izmir Courthouse under extensive security measures.

INVESTIGATION

A detention order was issued for 62 suspects within the scope of the corruption investigation carried out by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against Buca Municipality and its subsidiaries.

A total of 53 suspects, including Buca Mayor Görkem Duman, former Buca Mayor Erhan Kılıç, deputy mayors, former CHP District Mayor Ç.K., managers and employees of municipal subsidiaries, some company owners and contractors, were detained by the Provincial Police Department’s Financial Crimes Fighting Branch teams on June 1 at specified addresses in Izmir, Ankara, Erzincan and Çanakkale.

It was stated that 3 of the suspects were in prison, arrest warrants were issued for 4 people abroad, and efforts were continuing to capture 2 suspects.

On June 2, with the capture of municipal subsidiary manager K.B., the number of suspects detained increased to 54.

The suspects were brought to the Provincial Police Department Yesilyurt Service Building.

It was stated that the investigation file covering the municipal administration, zoning units, subsidiaries and contracting circles included irregular zoning transactions, floor and flat increases in return for bribes, bribery in license and residence permit processes, the use of municipal subsidiary credit cards for personal expenses, the “cash machine officer” system, direct procurement and tender irregularities.

It was claimed that some contractors used special methods among themselves to make payments to municipal officials, that construction companies bribed municipal staff to ignore the irregularities in their projects, and that this payment traffic was referred to as “soap” in some circles, meaning “problem solving/postponement”.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke at the joint press conference held after his meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.

Fidan stated that he was pleased to be in Bangladesh and said, “First of all, I would like to express our great satisfaction with the election of my brother Rahman as the President of the 81st General Assembly of the United Nations (UN). I congratulate him once again.” he said.

Stating that the election held at the UN General Assembly and Bangladesh’s victory are a great proof of how the new era that started in Bangladesh has a worldwide impact, Fidan said, “The result is a very important indicator of the respect that the international community has for Bangladesh. We have no doubt that Bangladesh will successfully carry out this important task with its active role in the UN and Mr. Rahman’s vast experience.” he said.

Reminding that Bangladesh entered a new era after the elections and referendum held in Bangladesh on February 12, Fidan said, “Turkey has been a very strong supporter of this. We are very pleased with this.” made his assessment.

Stating that the intense contact traffic between Bangladesh and Turkey further deepens the relations and strongly demonstrates the common will to explore new areas of cooperation, Fidan said, “We continue our efforts towards our goal of deepening our deep-rooted partnership in a wide range and taking it to a much stronger and visionary dimension on solid foundations.” he said.

Fidan emphasized that they also negotiated to increase the bilateral trade volume from 1.3 billion dollars to 2 billion dollars.

Stating that they also signed a memorandum of understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Protection of Cultural Heritage with Bangladesh Minister of Culture Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Fidan said, “I hope that this text, which is an indication of our determination to protect the common heritage of humanity, will be beneficial for our countries.” he said.

“WE ARE ACTING TO FIND A PERMANENT AND FAIR SOLUTION TO THE ROHINGIA ISSUE”

Fidan stated that Bangladesh carries a “humanitarian responsibility” on its shoulders at a time when global challenges are increasing and said:

“Unfortunately, the tragedy suffered by Rohingya Muslims continues. I would like to emphasize once again that Bangladesh, which has hosted more than one million Rohingya for years, has made a historic sacrifice on behalf of all humanity. We act in solidarity and coordination with relevant neighboring countries and organizations in order to find a permanent and fair solution to the Rohingya issue. As Turkey, we are making intense efforts to keep this crisis on the agenda of the international community.”

Minister Fidan stated that he will also visit the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar and said, “We will have the opportunity to examine the activities carried out by our institutions such as TIKA, AFAD, Red Crescent and Diyanet Foundation, and hopefully we will also visit our Field Hospital. While we continue our humanitarian aid to improve the situation of the Rohingyas, we will also continue to support their safe, dignified and voluntary return to their country.” he said.

Emphasizing that establishing the stability, security, peace and prosperity of the region is among the main priorities of Türkiye’s foreign policy, Fidan said, “Today, regional conflicts have affected global dynamics more than ever. The fact that current conflicts and instability tend to escalate and spread to wider geographies is a source of deep concern for all of us.” he said.

“THE PRIORITY FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD BE TO STOP ISRAEL’S AGGRESSIVENESS AND TO ELIMINATE THE WAR ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION”

Fidan stated that the US-Israeli attacks on Iran negatively affect the whole world beyond the region and continued as follows:

“We welcome the progress in the talks between Iran and the USA in this respect. We also hope that these talks will reach concrete results and create a basis for permanent peace and stability. Establishing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and returning to the pre-war situation is a necessity for the global economy, energy and security.”

Fidan underlined that diplomatic efforts have been intensified in line with the understanding that disputes can only be resolved through dialogue, and said, “In this context, we also find Pakistan’s mediation efforts to make the ceasefire permanent very valuable and we continue to actively support these efforts.” he said.

Stating that while progress is being made in the talks, they are occasionally concerned about the ceasefire being violated, Fidan said, “The parties should avoid steps that would endanger the diplomatic process. The international community should also demonstrate a common will to end the war. In particular, it is essential to prevent Israel’s attempts to sabotage the ceasefire.” he said.

Fidan stated that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned the entire region into a war zone to prevent the two-state solution in Palestine and said:

“Israel continues the genocide it committed in Gaza, which left deep wounds in the conscience of the international community, and adds a new one every day to its unlawful initiatives targeting the two-state solution in the West Bank. The priority for the international community should be to stop Israel’s aggression and eliminate the atmosphere of war in the region.”

Fidan stated that it is essential to end Israel’s occupation and attacks in Lebanon once and for all and ensure tranquility.

Minister Fidan emphasized that we will continue to take steps that will embody the common will to strengthen Bangladesh-Türkiye relations with new projects and consolidate stability, peace and prosperity in South Asia.

BANGLADESH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS RAHMAN SPOKE WITH FİDAN AT THE JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE

Bangladesh Minister of Foreign Affairs Khalilur Rahman said, “Turkey is an extremely important partner. It is a very important partner that supports Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.” he said.

Rahman spoke at the joint press conference held after his meeting with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.

Reminding that he made his first visit to Türkiye as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rahman stated that they met with his counterpart Fidan today within the framework of mutual respect and understanding.

Noting that the meetings they held represent the long friendship between Bangladesh and Türkiye, Rahman stated that they found Fidan’s visit important.

Rahman thanked Türkiye for sending observers to the parliamentary elections held in his country.

“Türkiye is an extremely important partner. It is a very important partner that supports Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the UN General Assembly.” Rahman said, adding that they will not forget Türkiye’s support in this regard.

Rahman emphasized that they think multilateral cooperation is extremely important in the face of global challenges.

Stating that Fidan’s visit coincides with an important period for Bangladesh-Türkiye relations, Rahman said that they aim to take the cooperation and partnership between the two countries to further levels.

Rahman stated that he told Fidan during the meeting that Turkish investors could benefit from investment opportunities in various special economic zones in Bangladesh.

Emphasizing that one of the most important humanitarian and diplomatic challenges facing Bangladesh is the Rohingya crisis, Rahman stated that he has undertaken important duties in this regard before and is well aware of the dimensions and gravity of the problem.

Rahman stated that he brought up the Rohingya issue again in his acceptance speech after his election as the President of the UN General Assembly.

Expressing his appreciation for Türkiye’s role in the Rohingya crisis, Rahman pointed out that Ankara has been with Bangladesh since the beginning of the crisis in terms of humanitarian aid and diplomatic support.

Reminding that Fidan will also visit the Rohingya camps within the scope of his visit, Rahman noted that the Turkish hospital is one of the most important support mechanisms in the camps and that Türkiye also contributes to regional and international initiatives to solve the crisis.

EVENTS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED, TRAFFIC REGULATION WILL BE MADE IN SENSITIVE AREAS

Within the scope of the governor’s decision, all public events such as exams, symposiums, panels, graduation ceremonies, festivals, concerts, entertainment and celebrations planned to be held by public institutions and non-governmental organizations from 06:00 on Monday, July 6, to 24:00 on Sunday, July 12, have been stopped.

In addition, it has been reported that no private or official, indoor or outdoor events that will risk security, disrupt traffic or cause mass arrivals and departures will be allowed on the arrival and departure routes to be determined by the security units, in the hotel area where the guests will stay, around the Presidential Complex and ATO Congresium Congress and Exhibition Center where the meetings will be held.

WEDDINGS IN SENSITIVE AREAS WILL BE SUBJECT TO PERMISSION

It was emphasized that weddings and similar organizations in areas outside the designated sensitive areas are outside the scope of the ban, but permission must be obtained from the relevant district governorships to hold such events within sensitive areas.

In the statement, all public institutions and organizations were asked to provide all necessary support and facilities in order to avoid any disruptions in implementation during the summit.

After the lodge program, Minister Uraloğlu went to the Bayburt-Gümüşhane Airport construction site and received information from the authorities about the work carried out there. Uraloğlu, who examined the airport site, said that the project is of great importance for the region.

“WE DOUBLED Türkiye’S AVERAGE FLIGHT TRAFFIC”

Providing information about the transportation data throughout Turkey during the Eid al-Adha, Minister Uraloğlu said, “We served 7 million 617 thousand passengers with 51 thousand 962 aircraft traffic at our airports between 22-31 May. During this last 10-day period, we doubled the average flight traffic of Turkey with an average daily flight traffic of 5 thousand 200. Especially on May 31, with 1,730 flights at our Istanbul Airport, reaching the busiest air traffic of all times since the day it was opened, we broke new ground.” A new peak was reached with more than 189 thousand vehicles passing through the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge in the same days. Similar records were experienced on the Northern Marmara Highway, the Ankara-Niğde Highway and the Aydın-Denizli Highway, which we recently put into service. These records are the result of the accurate vision, determination and huge investments of our AK Party governments in terms of transportation. As you know, we introduced Türkiye to regional airports that serve more than one city, such as Rize-Artvin Airport, Ordu-Giresun Airport and Çukurova International Airport. Instead of building a separate airport for each city, we now ensure the most efficient use of our country’s resources by covering a wide region with facilities located at strategic points. “As the strongest link, it is becoming a new cornerstone in the development of our region,” he said.

“BAYBURT-GUMUSHANE AIRPORT WILL CHANGE THE FACE OF THE REGION”

Stating that Bayburt-Gümüşhane Airport will serve 2 million passengers annually, Minister Uraloğlu said, “We are building this airport, which has a strategic location on the Köse-Bayburt Highway, 59 kilometers from Gümüşhane and 42 kilometers from Bayburt, with the capacity to serve 2 million passengers per year. When completed, it will strengthen the socioeconomic structure of the region and provide service to a wide geography together with the surrounding provinces. The infrastructure works of our airport will be 3 thousand meters long and 45 meters long.” We built the main runway, 300 meters by 120 meters, and the 265 meter long taxiway. This infrastructure has created a modern and safe foundation that will meet the aviation needs of the region. Hopefully, the airport, which we plan to open before the end of this year, will change the face of the region and will be a gateway to carrying the historical texture, natural beauties and cultural riches of Bayburt and Gümüşhane to the world. This airport will be a breath of fresh air for not only our two provinces but also the entire region. “It will revitalize it,” he said.

“WE CANNOT LIMIT THE FUTURE OF BAYBURT AND GUMUSHANE ACCORDING TO PASSENGER FORECASTS”

Providing information about the work around the airport, Minister Uraloğlu said, “In our understanding of the state, transportation and infrastructure investments are not just a commercial accounting based on the number of passengers today. We do not only think in the short term. With the same logic, we cannot limit the future of Bayburt and Gümüşhane according to today’s passenger forecasts. Our duty is to provide the service, build it in the best way and make it available to our nation. The rest will come over time. If you are late in these investments, you will lose much more time to make them. With this approach In addition to Bayburt-Gümüşhane Airport, we continue our work with determination on the Kop Tunnel, which is a very important transportation project for the region. As the AK Party, we continue to develop every province, every district, every village with the service and work policy under the leadership of our President, and hopefully we will send Tekke support to our current deputy mayor, Kemalettin Demirkıran, who is the candidate of the People’s Alliance in the election to be held in Gümüşhane on June 7. “I sincerely believe that our citizens will give strong support. I would also like to say this; we have made hot asphalt tenders for the shortcuts that will be connected to both Bayburt and Gümüşhane. These works are to meet the current need. We have not given up on the Köse road. I am bringing this to your attention,” he said.

Following the program, in which Minister Uraloğlu gave information about the latest status of the airport, the airport construction area was visited and inspected. In the program, Bayburt Governor Mustafa Eldivan, Gümüşhane Governor Cevdet Atay, AK Party Headquarters Head of Local Governments Mr. Mustafa Demir, Bayburt Deputy Prof. Dr. Orhan Ateş, Gümüşhane Deputy Mr. Celalettin Köse, Bayburt Mayor Mete Memiş Gümüşhane Mayor Vedat Soner Başer, Demirözü Mayor Arslan Gürer, Kelkit Mayor Ünal Yılmaz, Köse Mayor Turgay Kesler, Bayburt Provincial Assembly President Hüseyin Şahin, Gümüşhane AK Party Provincial Chairman Mehmet Emin Erdoğdu, AK Party Bayburt Provincial Deputy Chairman Mecit Türkoğlu and took citizens part.

Speaking at the 3rd Global Islamic Economy Summit held at Halkbank Headquarters in the Istanbul Financial Center under the auspices of the Presidency and within the scope of the AlBaraka Summit Series, Erdoğan noted that he spent most of his time with charities operating in the fields of education, empowerment of young people and revitalization of culture and heritage through sports.

Bilal Erdoğan stated that he thought Western civilization was in the process of collapse and said, “Just noticing and defining this will not be of much use. This is just a start to motivate ourselves and work hard. We cannot surpass the West by simply translating their works, scientific studies or doing things better than them. We must find a new dynamic that will enable us to achieve something new that is better when viewed from different perspectives. Therefore, as the driving force or dynamism of civilization, we will not center on accumulating wealth just for the sake of accumulation.” he said.

Noting that humanity is the most valuable of creations, Erdoğan said, “I think that when we initiate this movement towards translating, understanding and transcending borders, we will be able to regain our high-level position in our civilization and thus give humanity hope again to get rid of all this chaos we are in today.” he said.

Erdoğan stated that there is too much darkness in the movies today and that all the scenarios are based on dystopia, and that horror movies are becoming more and more popular, which shows what is happening to them.

Stating that people have fewer children while they have the opportunity to manage a larger family, Erdoğan said, “They are no longer excited about having children. They are no longer excited about leaving an inheritance, worldly or otherwise. Therefore, when talking about Islamic finance, numbers are of course important, but we should not forget the main basis that will shape us on the basis of Islamic values, make us different and enable us to progress on the scale of civilization. Therefore, I hope that the discussions to be held today and tomorrow will not stray too far from the fact that we need to focus on something else. Instead of imitating what is happening in the world of global finance, we should really focus on something else.” We need to try to make a difference.” he said.

“WE MUST ENSURE THAT PALESTINIANS ARE ONE OF THE BEST EDUCATED PEOPLE IN THE WORLD”

Erdogan said, “Gaza and Palestine are our cause, so how can we support Jerusalem? What happens on the political stage is important, but how you invest in people will be much more important than anything else in the long run. We must ensure that the Palestinians are some of the best educated people in the world. So we must keep it that way so that they have a chance to prevail in the end. As Muslims, we must be the best educated people in the world to achieve the things I have mentioned. I hope we can rebuild these institutions in this spirit.” he said.

Stating that he takes an active role in the field of education for this reason, Erdoğan said:

“I try to do my best wherever we operate in the field of education. I see that our teachers and administrators in our schools sometimes go astray by following what the West is doing, trying to imitate only what they practice in their schools and which enable them to achieve success in education. This is not enough for us and does not deserve to be seen as the sole purpose of education in Muslim countries. For example, I see that some of the schools that are found to be successful in the Gulf countries are only Western schools. They will raise Western individuals. They will raise individuals who will serve Western civilization. Therefore, we must ensure that our educational paradigm is also different and “Ibn Haldun University is an initiative in this context. We are trying to create a world-class Social Sciences Research Center, but we also ensure that our students take a comparative approach when taking sociology or economics courses.”

Stating that he got to know Ibn Khaldun late and that this situation was very sad, Erdoğan said, “Therefore, we must ensure that our young people have confidence in their own heritage and ancestors, so that they can do new things by believing in themselves and go beyond the conditions of civilization we are in. I think this is the essence of everything. If capital is not used for humanity, a person can have 1 trillion dollars and no one will care about it, and no one will even question why this person should have 1 trillion dollars anymore.” It’s thought-provoking.” made his assessment.

Thanking those who contributed, Erdoğan said, “Istanbul has everything we need to achieve great things in the next century and to awaken this new determination and motivation within us. We need the Century of Turkey. Hopefully, this will also be the century of the Muslim world, a period that carries us forward and reveals something to offer to the world.” he said.

Following Erdogan’s speech, a strategic cooperation protocol was signed between Ibn Haldun University and the Malaysian Securities Commission in the field of ethical finance compatible with Maqasid al-Sharia, within the scope of the summit.

“Women Inspiring the Future – Global Cooperation Dinner” program was held in Beşiktaş, hosted by the Ministry of Family and Social Services.

Speaking at the program, Minister Göktaş said, “Our coming together here this evening is a reflection of this heritage. This historical place, which once hosted Esma Sultan, the daughter of the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II, brings together the rich past of Istanbul and its dynamic present. Today, with the same spirit, it brought together strong academicians and women business representatives from different countries and sectors. Our common belief in coming together around the same table in Istanbul this evening is for women to take a stronger place in economic, social and political life.” As Turkey, we hosted this summit for the first time in 2011. In the intervening years, the world has experienced a radical transformation, the economy has been reshaped, and technology has changed the labor markets.

“WE IMPLEMENTED REFORM POLICIES”

In this process, the position of women in economic, social and digital life has become a more strategic issue. Today, we are proud to host you in Türkiye once again, with a much more comprehensive vision, a much stronger corporate infrastructure and concrete gains. We see women’s empowerment, beyond the issue of equality, as one of the fundamental elements of sustainable development, social and family welfare, and competitiveness. With this belief, under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we have implemented reform policies to make women stronger and more effective in all areas of life.

“WE HAVE TAKEN EFFECTIVE STEPS TOWARDS INCREASING WOMEN’S WELFARE”

By carrying the strong experience we have gained to international platforms, we have taken effective steps to protect women’s rights and increase women’s welfare. The ‘Global Women’s Summit’ that we host in Istanbul is one of them. “I believe that the meetings we organized within the scope of the summit will transform our common will for the empowerment of women into stronger collaborations on an international scale,” she said.