Istanbul: With a probe heating up into corruption in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the alleged misuse of power in the recent acquisition of four luxury villas linked to Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested on Sunday, is in the spotlight.
According to Anadolu Agency, at the center of the investigation, Imamoglu is accused of manipulating property deals for personal gain. The inquiry raises questions about whether he used his position to facilitate the purchase of luxury villas by a close associate through a public tender, with allegations that the deal financially benefited the friend involved.
The investigation also highlights actions taken after last year's Turkish local elections that allegedly involved further manipulation of public resources.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is looking into Imamoglu and 99 other individuals on charges including bribery, aggravated fraud, and bid-rigging. Additionally, some defendants are facing allegations related to aiding a terrorist group.
The investigation follows the trial of 23 defendants, including Nuraydin Sak, deputy mayor of the city's Buyukcekmece district, who are accused of constructing 144 luxury villas worth 8.63 billion Turkish liras ($445 million) through fraudulent means and bribery. The luxury villas were built without proper permits, violating zoning laws and creating significant risks in case of an earthquake. Court experts have accused several municipal officials and contractors of negligence and fraud, and some defendants could face prison sentences of over 300 years.
The core of the investigation revolves around the acquisition of four luxury villas by businessman Ali Nuhoglu, whose company, Gulluce Tarimcilik, is among those implicated. Nuhoglu, in his testimony, confirmed that the company was established specifically for the purpose of acquiring the properties, originally valued at approximately $4 million, from private individuals.
Nuhoglu explained that after facing zoning constraints, he negotiated the sale of the luxury villas to Imamoglu Construction, a company connected to the mayor. The deal, involving a luxury villa in Beylikduzu and a currency exchange rate of 87 million liras ($4.4 million), later increased to 100 million liras ($5.1 million) due to delays.
"I didn't transfer Gulluce Tarimcilik for 15 million liras ($765,000). At current rates, my company's transfer price amounts to roughly 150 million liras ($7.65 million)," Nuhoglu said in court testimony.
Imamoglu tried to defend his actions in the expropriation of land in the Sariyer district's Resitpasa area, insisting that the so-called project was transparent and the purchase was made using loans from a Turkish bank on behalf of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. He claims the transaction was made for the purpose of converting the land into a green space for public use. However, it is argued that the land across Imamoglu's luxury villa was purchased and expropriated using municipality revenues and for the sole purpose of increasing the valuation of his property.