DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇷 Turkey /Crime & Justice

Melih Gökçek arrives at courthouse chewing gum after being summoned for questioning

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Ankara prosecutors opened an investigation into allegations that former mayor Melih Gökçek transferred unregistered funds to companies abroad.
  • Gökçek appeared at the courthouse as a suspect for questioning, while his arrival chewing gum drew attention.
  • The investigation followed claims about the Gökçek family’s European investments and related complaints filed by Ankara Metropolitan Municipality.

Former Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek arrived at the courthouse to give a statement in a prosecutor-led investigation. He came as a suspect after Ankara’s chief public prosecutor summoned him for questioning on Friday, Sept. 4, at 4 p.m.

The investigation concerns allegations that unregistered money was transferred to companies abroad. The prosecutor’s office said it had opened the case on its own initiative to establish the material truth behind the claims.

Gökçek’s manner of arrival also became part of the story. His appearance at the courthouse while chewing gum attracted attention.

The case followed allegations raised by Cumhuriyet columnist Murat Ağırel about millions of dollars in European investments and money transfers linked to the Gökçek family. Those claims included alleged agreements for a building in Düsseldorf and a shopping center in Velbert. After news of the investigation emerged, Gökçek said, "With God’s permission, I am entrusting myself to Turkish justice."

Separately, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality lawyer Nadi Türkaslan filed a criminal complaint against Gökçek, members of his family, Beyaz TV Ankara, Osmanlıspor executives and others over allegations involving a criminal organization and interference with tenders.

With God’s permission, I am entrusting myself to Turkish justice.

· Melih GökçekGökçek made the statement after prosecutors opened the investigation and before appearing for questioning.
About this summary

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog