Melih Gökçek Files Criminal Complaint Against Cumhuriyet Writer Murat Ağırel

Melih Gökçek, the former mayor of Ankara, has filed a criminal complaint against Cumhuriyet writer Murat Ağırel over allegations concerning his property holdings.

Gökçek said the complaint addressed claims that 23 properties were registered in his name. In a statement on social media, he called the allegations baseless and said they did not rely on land-registry records. He argued that the claims targeted him and his family and sought to create a false public perception.

"The allegations that 23 properties are registered in my name do not reflect the truth and are completely baseless," Gökçek wrote. He said all of his assets and real estate could be viewed transparently through Turkey's e-government records, adding that those records would show the allegations were unfounded.

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The allegations that 23 properties are registered in my name do not reflect the truth and are completely baseless.

Gökçek said he had submitted an official criminal complaint against Ağırel under the Turkish Penal Code and other relevant legislation, seeking protection of his personal rights. He said he had full confidence in the law and justice.

The complaint came as Ankara prosecutors investigated allegations involving Gökçek and his family, including companies in Germany, multimillion-euro real-estate investments and money transfers. Ağırel, who brought the allegations into public discussion, gave testimony as a witness and submitted official documents to prosecutors. Gökçek has been summoned to give a statement on Sept. 4.

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All my assets and real estate are transparently recorded in the e-government system.