In the corruption investigation carried out by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against the Adalar Municipality, many actions related to the network of interests alleged to have been established through the license, settlement, renovation, illegal construction, seal removal and inspection processes in the municipality were included in the file.

ILLEGAL RENOVATIONS AND HIGH AMOUNTS MONEY REQUESTS

One of the striking details in the investigation file was the illegal renovation process of a real estate in Büyükada. Allegedly, new demands for money were raised in return for reducing the fine imposed on the property for which various payments had been made previously, not carrying out the demolition process and continuing the renovation. It was claimed that 150 thousand Euros were requested for the settlement and hotel license procedures for another property in Heybeliada. The file also included the allegation that zoning violations were used as a means of pressure in case of non-payment.

CLAIM OF NEGOTIATION IN LICENSE PROCESSES

In the investigation file, it was claimed that there were high demands for money in license transactions for restaurants, shops and various businesses. It was claimed that 200 thousand TL was requested during the licensing process of a restaurant operating in Maden District, and that some businesses wishing to obtain a business license were asked to pay additional payments of hundreds of thousands of liras in addition to the official fees. In some project and renovation files, allegations that citizens were directed to certain architects and that payments were planned to be made after the completion of the project approval processes were reflected in the investigation file.

Mayor of Adalar, Ali Ercan Akpolat

THEY MADE THEIR RENTS PAID IN EXCHANGE OF LICENSE CONVENIENCE

The investigation also included the allegation that the rent of a warehouse, which was stated to be used on behalf of the municipality, was made to be paid by various individuals instead of the municipal budget. According to the file, it was evaluated that the rent payments were covered by third parties in exchange for facilitating some construction and licensing procedures. On the other hand, allegations that the salary of the mayor’s office driver was not covered by the municipal budget, but by money obtained from people working in the municipality, were also included in the investigation file. It was evaluated that the expression “escrow”, which was frequently used in the interviews, referred to money transfers.

CLAIMS OF REMOVAL OF SEALS AND SUSPENSION OF INSPECTIONS

It was claimed that although a workplace did not have a license in the file, its seal was removed by acting as if it were licensed, and that in some addresses, police teams were not sent to inspect as a result of instructions. It was also claimed that instructions were given not to take action in various renovation and construction activities.

Deputy Mayor Hüseyin Yılmaz

THEY DEMANDED FOREIGN EXCHANGE TO ACCELERATE TRANSACTIONS

One of the most striking topics of the investigation was the high amounts of payments allegedly requested during the settlement processes. It was evaluated that millions of lira payments were received for some immovable properties stated in the file to be exempt from fees, and that these money were associated with the housing and municipal permit processes. It was claimed that in some projects, there were demands for payment in foreign currency in return for speeding up the board approval, settlement and license procedures.

Deputy Mayor Fırat Durak

BRIBERY UNDER THE NAME OF “DONATION”

Within the scope of the investigation, it was evaluated that some payments were not made directly in money, but under different names such as “escrow”, “donation”, “fee”, “fee”, “salary” and “rent”. The file also included allegations that the rent of a warehouse used on behalf of the municipality was made to be paid by third parties, and that the salaries of some municipal employees were covered by money obtained from people working in the municipality.

“WE ARE ENTERING A BUSY SUMMER SEASON”

Stating that they have entered a busy summer period, especially the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, Çelik said, “We will commemorate our heroic martyrs with mercy on July 15. We will salute our heroic veterans once again with gratitude. I stated that it will be evaluated in many aspects and the commemoration will be held from both state and political dimensions. Preparations for the climate summit are continuing. There are preparations for the anniversary of the founding of our party. An intense domestic and foreign political agenda is ahead of us, we are evaluating all of these.” Ömer Çelik answered the questions of the press members after his statements.

“WE ARE ALREADY SEEING RADICAL STATEMENTS TO SABOTATE THE AGREEMENT”

When a journalist asked about his evaluations regarding the memorandum of understanding signed between the USA and Iran and the negotiation process that will continue for 60 days, Çelik said, “From the beginning, it has been seen how short-sighted the evaluations put forward by Türkiye and our President are. The result of this attack has also made international law pay great prices. At this point, this agreement is a stage where the ceasefire will turn into permanent peace. Many topics will be discussed within the 60-day period. The process will proceed by addressing these topics.” But we are faced with an extremely fragile situation. There are many issues, from the opening of the Strait of Hormuz to the lifting of the US blockade. In fact, we see that the ministers of the genocide government in Israel are already making radical statements to sabotage this process and to take a strong stance against the Israeli aggression that threatens the process. The warnings of the US Vice President on this issue should be underlined. “The point reached is important for world peace. This 60-day period should be evaluated in a way that is free of tensions and threats. There is no way forward by increasing tensions or threats,” he said.

“BAHÇELİ’S STATEMENTS SHOW HIS DETERMINATION”

When asked whether the statements made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli regarding the early election debates were evaluated in the party organs, Çelik said, “Mr. Bahçeli’s statements are extremely important. For our party, our presidential candidate in the upcoming elections is Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. All authorized bodies of our party have a very clear and determined stance on this issue. We welcome Mr. Bahçeli’s statements with gratitude. This is the unity and solidarity of the People’s Alliance, Mr. “It was a statement showing our president’s agreement and determination regarding his presidential candidacy,” he said.

“WE ARE NOW IN A NEW PHASE IN THE TERROROR-FREE Türkiye PROCESS”

When asked about the claims that the legal regulation for the terrorism-free Türkiye process will be on the agenda before the Turkish Grand National Assembly goes on recess, Çelik said the following:

“Our work on terrorism-free Turkey continues uninterruptedly. Very important progress has been made within Türkiye. We are now at a new stage. A legal framework will emerge to ensure that the requirements of the commission report are fulfilled, to lay down arms and to completely end the existence of the terrorist organization and its illegal structures. We think that the emergence of this legal framework should be evaluated on the agenda of the Parliament as soon as possible. This is important in terms of Türkiye’s national security, Turkey Century targets, terrorism-free region and terrorism-free Turkey targets. For this legal framework, all political It is extremely important for parties and circles to contribute. The opinions of those who support, those who contribute, and those who try to contribute in an equitable manner are very important. Turkey has the ability to overcome this issue with the common will, the experience of the state, and the values of the nation. Our experience over the centuries has a high capacity to bring these processes to an end without any compromise, without compromising the qualities of our state and the values of our nation. A legal regulation should be made within this framework. “After its emergence, it has been determined by the state institutions that the terrorist organization has laid down its weapons, and this process will be completed with the approval of this determination by the National Security Council and the appreciation of our President.”

In the investigation into how some people and organizations affiliated with Seferihisar Municipality received benefits in exchange for transactions related to construction and development processes, 6 suspects, including Seferihisar Deputy Mayor İ.G.P, were detained on June 17.

POLICE PROCESSES CONTINUE

Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Seferihisar Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, a detention order was issued for the Director of Planning and Urbanization EU. EU was taken into custody by the Provincial Police Department’s Financial Crimes Fighting Branch teams. E.U’s procedures at the police are continuing.

Nermin Günay, the wife of Güzelbahçe Mayor Mustafa Günay, who was allegedly linked to the suspects and was previously arrested and suspended from duty, and company employee MCH were also caught on June 18.

The procedures for the eight suspects in question were completed at the Financial Crimes Department of the Provincial Police Department on June 19, and one of the suspects, SY, was released after his statement due to health problems.

COMPANY OFFICIALS WERE ARRESTED

Among the suspects, Seferihisar Deputy Mayor İ.GP, construction company officials SB and RKB, public official Ö.A. and company official R.Ö. They were arrested by the judgeship to which they were brought.

While a judicial control measure was imposed on Nermin Günay, company employee MCH was released.

The investigation is expanding within the scope of the operation launched against Seferihisar Municipality. In the corruption and bribery operations carried out last week, 5 suspects were arrested and sent to prison.

According to the latest development, it was learned that Zoning and Urbanization Director Esin Uysal was also detained and summoned to testify.

It was stated that the police officers who came to the municipality this afternoon invited Uysal and left the service building together.

Uysal’s proceedings at the police station continue.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In the investigation into how some people and organizations affiliated with Seferihisar Municipality received benefits in exchange for transactions related to construction and development processes, 6 suspects, including Seferihisar Deputy Mayor İ.G.P, were detained on June 17.

Nermin Günay, the wife of Güzelbahçe Mayor Mustafa Günay, who was allegedly linked to the suspects and was previously arrested and suspended from duty, and company employee MCH were also caught on June 18.

The procedures for the eight suspects in question were completed at the Financial Crimes Department of the Provincial Police Department on June 19, and one of the suspects, SY, was released after his statement due to health problems.

Among the suspects, Seferihisar Deputy Mayor İ.GP, construction company officials SB and RKB, public official Ö.A. and company official R.Ö. They were arrested by the judgeship to which they were brought.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had a telephone conversation with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkiyan. Leaders discussed Türkiye-Iran bilateral relations and regional and global developments.

“THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN IRAN AND THE USA IS SATISFIING”

During the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that the agreement reached between Iran and the USA is satisfactory, that we, as Turkey, will provide all the support we can to ensure that the process ends in peace, and that it is important to be careful against those who want to sabotage the negotiations.

HE DRAW ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING STEPS TO STRENGTHEN PEACE

Erdoğan stated that it is important and necessary to take steps to strengthen regional peace in the new period and that Türkiye will work to establish this. During the meeting, President Erdoğan also stated that we will continue to take steps to improve commercial, financial and energy cooperation between Türkiye and Iran.

CRITICAL CONTACTS IN A SESSION

In the statement made by the Directorate of Communications, the following statements were made:

“Our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had a telephone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zeydi. During the meeting, Turkey-Iraq bilateral relations and regional and global issues were discussed. President Erdoğan stated that we want to further the relations between Turkey and Iraq in the new period, and that there is a great potential for cooperation, especially in the fields of energy, defense industry and transportation. Our President invited Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zeydi to Türkiye for comprehensive consultations.”

I was watching TV… CHP was being talked about on several channels, as it had been for weeks… It was being discussed.
The words of one of the speakers… Former Ankara Provincial Chairman of CHP… Former MP… Former Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Yılmaz Ateş caught my attention:
“May God protect the Republican People’s Party from its supporters in the press.”

Let’s say at first what we will say at the end of our article:
Politics and media… If the relations between politics and money become one of the important issues on the country’s agenda;
The reputation and credibility of both politics and the media are damaged.
Unfortunately, this is exactly what is happening in Türkiye.

***

‘Party journalists’

A journalist, like everyone else, has a party he votes for, a leader he likes… It is natural.
Likewise, there may be a party/leader that he is against and dislikes… Naturally.
But… But… But;
A journalist is not a cheerleader, militant or lawyer of this or that party.
We are not talking about this, that, that… We are talking about the middle.
Measurement is important in politics-media relations… Whether it is disproportionate praise or anger that amounts to insult;
Some circles may like it and it may bring applause… But it is not true.
It causes loss of reputation.

***

It’s time for self-criticism

The Republican People’s Party’s statute, adopted at its congress in 1935, included an article on party journalists… Did you know? Regulation… Ninth part… Article 146:

The articles of newspapers and magazines owned by CHP and the works written and published by party members are taken into account in terms of party principles.

Delegations and meetings are held with party-affiliated journalists, magazine editors and writers who wish to reach a consensus in this regard.

They do not publish articles contrary to the party program and statute in newspapers, magazines and presses in which they are affiliated with the party capital and in whose management they are active.
This article was preserved exactly as it was in the CHP’s congress held in 1938 and the adopted statute.
But… We’re not in the 1930s anymore.
In 2026 Turkey, if issues involving politics, media money and yellow envelopes make the headlines of newspapers… If they become one of the main news on television…
Everyone needs to put their hat in front of themselves and think… and make self-criticism.

***

From the timeline…

It was after the coup (September 12, 1980)… Democracy was returned. In power… was the Motherland Party – Turgut Özal. In the opposition… If we do not count the MDP (Nationalist Democracy Party), founded/managed by the soldiers, which melts like soap;

In the right neighbourhood… Doğruyol Party was trying to rise with its entrusted chairman.

In the left quarter… There was a division… between SHP led by Erdal İnönü and… DSP led by Rahşan Ecevit.

And… Two locomotives pushing from behind… Banned Süleyman Demirel behind DYP… Banned Bülennt Ecevit behind DSP.
The powerful/influential media organ of the leftist neighbourhood… Cumhuriyet Newspaper… It was torn between two choices.
In the end… Cumhuriyet took a stand on the side of the strong in the neighborhood… Inönü, on the side of the Social Democratic Populist Party.
DSP… Rahşan Ecevit… started touring the country with the election song written by Bülent Ecevit:

“Good luck Türkiye, the white dove is coming,
As DSP gets stronger, people’s faces become happier.
“We are on the democratic left, we are on the safest path.”
During that period… I also traveled with İnönü… and Rahşan Ecevit.
The announcement was made on the SHP’s election bus… The leader was introduced by Hasan Şahan, retired from Anadolu Agency:
– He’s coming, he’s coming… Not the black crow, Erdal İnönü is coming.
Ecevit’s white pigeon… SHP called it “black crow”.
In some of Ms. Rahşan’s meetings… Sad but true… Cumhuriyet Newspaper was being torn down… It was being burned.
Of course I wrote… Of course I criticized it.
Alev Coşkun… He is considered the memory/archive of the left neighborhood… He is a living witness of that period.
And… Here we are today.
That party member, that party member… That journalist, that journalist… They almost strangled each other.
Politics is losing blood, and so is the media.

***

ground survey

In politics… Ground survey is important… Very much so.
The ground… is public opinion.
Public opinion… It is not a handful of fanatic/militant party members… It is the power that creates and changes governments.
Floor… He is disturbed by some words.
He reacts to statements such as “Junta… Coup”.
Türkiye… It suffered a lot from juntas and coups.
If you say that what is happening… Every operation/development is a “blow to democracy and politics”, you should know that… Such words have no equivalent in the public opinion.

***

soft belly

The soft underbelly of the Republican People’s Party… As sure as two and two make four;
Multi-headedness.
For some, CHP has two heads, for some it has three heads.
The famous saying is:
“Two captains sink the ship.”

***

Surveys

Our desk is full of surveys from various organizations.
“The situation of political parties right now… Who should be the CHP’s presidential candidate? If there were an election this Sunday, which party would get what percentage of votes?” surveys such as.
These surveys appear in the newspapers, you read them. It’s being talked about on TV… It’s being discussed… You’re watching it.
We never delve into this subject in our column… Because; It was seen in the last election… Most of the polls were not correct.
It’s sad but true that this industry has a big hump.
Can you tell me which one should we believe? How should we believe?

***

word of the day

Ancient Greek philosopher… Socrates’ student… Aristotle’s teacher… Plato says:
“The greatest victory is for man to master himself.”
There is no need for more words and comments.
You see… Nowadays, there are many people who cannot control their hands, waist, or tongue.