Investigation into Gökçek family draws response from AKP lawmaker: “I am very pleased”

Osman Gökçek says he is pleased that prosecutors are investigating allegations involving his father, former Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek, and their family’s affairs in Germany.

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into claims concerning companies, real-estate investments worth millions of euros and money transfers linked to the Gökçek family. Journalist Murat Ağırel, who brought the allegations to public attention, gave testimony as a witness and submitted official documents to prosecutors. He said the investigation could widen.

The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality also filed a criminal complaint against Melih Gökçek, members of his family, Beyaz TV Ankara and Osmanlıspor executives, among others, over alleged membership in a criminal organization. Municipality lawyer Nadi Türkaslan said the complaint sought to determine whether municipal resources had been used illegally to obtain assets.

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I am very pleased that the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation because of the allegations recently made about my father and my family.

Osman Gökçek, Melih Gökçek’s son and an AKP Ankara deputy, said he would respect any judicial decision. “If it is determined that there is some truth in his allegations, I will respect the decision of justice to the end,” he said, referring to Mansur Yavaş. Gökçek also welcomed Yavaş’s complaint against him, saying it would bring the accusations before a court.

He cited previous complaints against himself and his family, saying they had not resulted in findings of guilt. He also referred to lawsuits involving Ağırel and complaints he had filed against Yavaş, and argued that justice should apply equally regardless of political party, office, wealth or status.

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If it is determined that there is some truth in his allegations, I will respect the decision of justice to the end.