New Development in Üsküdar Municipality Investigation: 6 Suspects Referred to Court

A significant development has occurred in the investigation into allegations of irregularities and bribery in the issuance of construction and occupancy permits by the Üsküdar Municipality. The Üsküdar Mayor, Sinem Dedetaş, and five other suspects were referred to the Istanbul Anatolian Court after completing their procedures at the police station.The investigation, conducted by the Istanbul Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit, found that the suspects, including Dedetaş, were involved in irregularities in the issuance of construction and occupancy permits. The Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into Dedetaş and other municipal officials on charges of bribery, embezzlement, and establishing and managing a criminal organization. The investigation was based on complaints, victim statements, and suspect statements.'It was determined that Kent AŞ officials, who had no authority in the process of issuing construction permits, directed municipal personnel through a secure email system and coordinated the permit processes through Excel tables prepared on an ada-parsel basis' said the authorities, providing information on the details of the investigation. According to MASAK data, Kent AŞ and some contractors signed multiple 'consulting service' contracts worth a total of 1 million 78 thousand 870 lira. It is alleged that 361 million 392 thousand 264 lira was obtained through these contracts, which were used to finance the activities of the interest-based criminal organization within the Üsküdar Municipality and its affiliate Kent AŞ.'In projects with large construction volumes, it is alleged that Dedetaş's advisor U.M. and Kent AŞ General Manager N.A. coordinated with contractors to receive bribes in cash, in dollars' said the authorities. It is also alleged that the money was delivered in installments to the Üsküdar Municipality building, in violation of the regulations, and that this was confirmed by HTS records, base data, and some suspect statements.