Istanbul Mayor Questions Makyol Owner in Fraud Trial

The Istanbul Municipality (IBB) fraud trial entered its 71st day with a focus on the defense of Adnan Çebi, owner of MAKYOL Construction. Çebi, who is not detained and stands accused of aiding and financing a "terrorist organization," asserted his lack of connection to the structures mentioned in the indictment.

Following Çebi's statement, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu directly questioned him. İmamoğlu probed whether Çebi had met with him in non-public spaces like a hotel, specifically asking if there were any objections to the mayor using a hotel room or meeting there. Çebi denied any such meetings beyond İmamoğlu being a regular customer.

İmamoğlu pressed further, drawing a parallel between the prosecution's persistent efforts to find wrongdoing and the presence of various state officials he had encountered at the hotel. He questioned Çebi on whether these officials' visits were unusual, to which Çebi responded that such visits were normal. İmamoğlu emphasized the importance of these questions, suggesting that the prosecution's approach could negatively impact both his and Çebi's reputations.

The mayor also addressed the business relationship, noting that MAKYOL had not secured new tenders from the IBB during his tenure but continued existing projects. He inquired if his administration had hindered their ability to bid on new contracts or if MAKYOL had chosen not to participate. Çebi stated that they had not participated in new tenders.