Our writer Murat Ağırel gives testimony as witness in Melih Gökçek investigation: “I believe a larger network will emerge”

Murat Ağırel spent three and a half hours answering questions from Ankara prosecutors after reporting alleged financial transfers involving the family of former Ankara Metropolitan Mayor İbrahim Melih Gökçek.

The Cumhuriyet writer had reported claims that the Gökçek family made arrangements involving a building in Düsseldorf and a shopping center in Velbert. Ankara prosecutors opened an investigation into Gökçek after the report. Gökçek later said, “With God’s permission, I leave it to justice.”

Speaking after his testimony, Ağırel described the German company HAMAG, which he said was established in Düsseldorf by Melih Gökçek, his son Ahmet Gökçek and his wife Hülya Gökçek. He said the company had zero turnover, no employees and 30,000 euros in capital, but had accumulated assets worth 3.8 million euros by 2024. Those assets included 15 apartments and two commercial units, he said.

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With God’s permission, I leave it to justice.

Ağırel also discussed a proposed deal in Velbert involving a shopping center with 18 apartments and five commercial units, valued at 8.7 million euros. He said contracts were first made in Hülya Gökçek’s name and later renewed under HAMAG, but the sale did not proceed because the contract conditions were not fulfilled. He added that negotiations later took place in Luxembourg over a shopping center reportedly valued at about 180 million to 200 million euros, but no agreement was reached.

Ağırel said he gave prosecutors all the information and documents in his possession, including details about people and holding companies not previously covered publicly. “I believe the investigation will expand further. I understood that it will grow even larger,” he said.

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I believe the investigation will expand further. I understood that it will grow even larger.