Turkey's Ministry of Interior has approved an investigation into Mansur Yavaş, the head of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB), and his associate Nevzat Uzunoğlu.
Modern.az reports that the investigation is related to allegations of embezzlement and procedural irregularities in the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality's concert expenses.
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had requested permission for an investigation into Yavaş and Uzunoğlu on charges of “abuse of official authority” and “failure to perform supervisory duty” after an indictment was prepared during an investigation into the procurement of concert services. It has been reported that the Ministry confirmed this request.
According to the Chief Public Prosecutor's investigation, the handover report prepared by the Civil Inspectors of the Ministry of Interior, the investigation by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), the audit by the Court of Accounts, and independent expert opinions revealed that the municipality suffered a total loss of 154 million 453 thousand 221 liras during the procurement of 32 concert services held at ABB.
During an operation conducted on September 23, 14 people, including former municipal officials and company representatives, were detained. They were charged with “abuse of official authority” and “interference with a tender”.
Of them, 5 were arrested by court order, while 9 were released under judicial supervision.
The prepared 59-page indictment has been accepted by the Ankara 34th High Criminal Court. Prison sentences ranging from 7 years 6 months to 31 years 6 months are sought for the 14 accused individuals.
